{"id":33541,"date":"2019-05-13T14:35:27","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T18:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/?p=33541"},"modified":"2020-01-09T12:19:32","modified_gmt":"2020-01-09T17:19:32","slug":"browntail-moth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/2019\/05\/13\/browntail-moth\/","title":{"rendered":"All About Browntail Moth Caterpillars (BTM)"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Browntail Moths Are & What You Can Do:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Last week at the UMaine Extension Cumberland County office, we noticed a few caterpillar nest tents in the branches of the crab apples. The caterpillars had just begun to hatch. We removed them by cutting the nests out of the trees.
\nIt is important that even if you are not able to determine the species of caterpillars, you will still want to use extreme care when removing the nest and use appropriate protection equipment, especially gloves.
\n<\/strong>To cut the nests out of trees: use pruners and place the nests directly into a bucket of soapy water. Allow the nests to sit in the soapy water for several hours, then the nests may be discarded. This removal method is an alternative to using pesticides, especially for small-scale problems and especially in environmentally sensitive areas.<\/p>\n

What are Browntail Moths?<\/h4>\n

Browntail Moth caterpillars (BTM) are a common invasive species of caterpillar which affects the health of Maine\u2019s forests and people. This species of caterpillar has toxic hairs that can cause a skin rash. This risk map of heavily infested areas shows where in Maine BTM\u2019s are known to be: Browntail Moth locations (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Close<\/a>
Pruning the caterpillar nest out of the crab apple tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Pruners
Disposing of the caterpillar nest while wearing proper protective clothing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Caterpillar
Soaking caterpillar nest in a bucket of soapy water for several hours.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry<\/span>Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What can the general public do about BTM\u2019s?<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. Report your detection of BTM<\/b> in this survey <\/a>to the Maine Forest Service if this is an area outside of where the BTM is already known to be widespread.<\/li>\n
  2. Make a donation to support UMaine Browntail Moth research<\/b>. <\/b>As it is difficult to fund research for BTM, any contributions are greatly appreciated!
    \nDonations can be mailed to:
    \nTHE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOUNDATION,
    \nTWO ALUMNI PLACE,
    \nORONO, ME 04469-5792
    \n(Please specify that funds are specifically for support of the University of Maine Browntail Moth Project.)<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    FMI about BTM\u2019s, review these links:<\/h3>\n