Residents can help lessen the impact of the Spongy Moth
City Forestry Services team is working to lessen the impact of the spongy moth outbreak in Ottawa.
Spongy moth is an invasive insect also known as “LDD moth”. It feeds on the foliage of trees during the caterpillar phase of its lifecycle. Spongy moth populations are cyclical and, in 2022, Ottawa is expected to experience many areas of noticeable tree defoliation.
Forestry Services has conducted spongy moth surveys throughout the urban and rural area to help predict how this outbreak will develop in 2022. Also, staff began coordinating with local community groups this spring to distribute burlap kits to help protect individual trees on City property from severe defoliation.
Residents may notice large groups of caterpillars on tree trunks and branches and defoliation on trees during the spring and early summer because of this insect. There are several measures outlined on Ottawa.ca/spongymoth for residents to consider that can reduce tree damage on their properties, including a brand new online reporting tool.
