OK, don’t panic. It’s not like it was in 2015. We have seen a few moths in late November and December.  That means we may see some sporadic damage in the spring.  For those of you who don’t remember, winter moths are small green inchworms that feed on deciduous plants in early spring while the buds are just starting to grow.  Their favorites are: Cherries, Oaks, Maples, Crabapples, Blueberries, and Roses.  However, they will feed on any deciduous plants. 

They are an imported pest from Europe that is similar to our native cankerworm, but they begin feeding about two weeks earlier in the spring.  For about 3-5 years, they caused some tangible damage.  Most of the calls we received to manage winter moth caterpillars were more about “the gross out factor” than to save the trees.  When populations were high, the insect’s feces would cover cars, houses, and outdoor furniture.  More alarming was the short window of days when the green inchworms lower themselves on silk threads from the trees to the ground. The combination of the worms and the threads falling on people out enjoying a warm spring day would really get our phones to ring.