The spongy moth (lymantria dispar) is a non-native, foliage eating insect that threatens deciduous trees and impacts humans. It is considered one of the 100 most destructive invasive species worldwide. Originally from Europe and Asia, spongy moths made their debut in the Massachusetts in 1869 in an unsuccessful attempt to introduce silk production to the US. They complete one generation in a full year with a life cycle that consists of four stages:

• Egg: Females lay eggs in masses of 500-1000 in August. The egg masses are beige with velvety texture and spongy consistency.
• Larva (caterpillar): The larval stage typically lasts about 7 weeks. Larvae are most active during May and June. The caterpillars partially or entirely strip trees of their leaves. They prefer oaks, especially white and chestnut. But they’ll also eat alder, aspen, basswood, birch, hawthorn and willow trees.
• Pupa (Cocoon): After feeding and accumulating far, the larvae pupate.
• Adult (moth): The adult emerges from the pupa and reproduces

If you have damaged, compromised, or beloved trees in your landscape, be prepared to treat those trees early if spongy moth injury is expected. Talk to an arborist about applying a well-timed insecticide treatment. Also, consider adding a tree band in late May. These trap spongy moth caterpillars as they hike up and down a tree. Don’t forget to fertilize the tree to improve its ability to recover from spongy moth damage. And make sure to water your tree on dry days to prevent any added stress from drought.

Dr. Clive Jones is a terrestrial ecologist with expertise in biodiversity and environmental management. Working with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, he joined the Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley to talk about the recent outbreaks of spongy moths in the area. Clive has spent much of his career studying how organisms physically modify the non-living environment and the consequences for those species, other species and ecological processes. He has also contributed to understanding complex interaction webs in oak forests that connect oaks and acorns with insect outbreaks like spongy moth. He joins Dr. Charles Canham, another senior scientist at the Cary Institute who specializes in forest ecology and management.

We hope you find this conversation and interesting as we did.

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Teresa Golden

Guests: Clive Jones and Charles Canham

Photo by: Teresa Golden

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Robin Smith

Resources

In New York State, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has regulatory and enforcement authority for Environmental Conservation Law, including two law enforcement divisions, as well as administrative and civil actions. To be effective, state enforcement personnel and policies work in concert with their local and federal counterparts, and citizens must be kept informed and involved.

The DEC includes two law enforcement divisions, as well as administrative and civil actions. The DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement employs Environmental Conservation Police Officers to enforce the law and protect the state’s natural resources including fish and wildlife.

Retired Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Captain and current columnist, Larry DiDonato, joins Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley in a wide-ranging discussion about a wide range of outdoor opportunities including fishing, hunting and trapping.

Learn about how his career evolved from working in New York City versus in upper New York State. The environmental conservation issues downstate vary considerably from those in the Hudson Valley region and northwards. Larry talks about the roles of various environmental enforcement agencies and the challenges they face on a daily basis.

Larry discusses the regulatory changes with deer hunting permits and the data the DEC looks at when setting regulations is each deer management unit. He also discusses the variety of things, besides hunting, that impact deer populations including diseases, car collisions, starvation, and wildlife predation.

Fishing is another one of Larry’s passions as he avails himself of fishing opportunities throughout the seasons. Access to the Hudson River, via boat ramps, is a wonderful asset to this region allowing fishermen to enjoy the beauty and bounty of the area.

And don’t forget about trapping as another outdoor opportunity that helps support the environmental conservation efforts in New York State.

Host: Tim Kennelty and Taly Hahn

Guest: Larry DiDonato

Photo by: CCE Suffolk County

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, Robin Smith, Annie Scibienski, Robin Smith

Resources

Have you heard the adage that the month of March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb? Is there any truth to this? Devon Russ, Master Gardener Volunteer, returns to explore the cultural origins and meanings of the famous proverb that associates lions and lamb with the crazy swings of March weather.

What about deer repellents? Do they work? As many gardeners know, deer damage can be a significant problem, and there are many so-called remedies out there. Devon explores the effectiveness of strong-smelling soap and concludes that it's not a magic bullet. Instead, she recommends using deer repellents that contain eggs or creating a simple homemade egg and water spray. Gardeners might want to consider using a protective cage or fence. So, if you want to protect your garden from deer damage and learn the truth about deer repellents, you won't want to miss this segment!

Lawn thatch is a bane of many homeowners. Dethatching the grass every spring is a chore that no one looks forward to doing. Learn how thatch is created and what you can do to reduce the amount of thatch that can cause problems in your lawn. This segment provides some useful information that might reduce the amount of work you need to put in to enjoy a nice lawn.

There are lots of approaches to watering a garden. Do it in the morning. Don’t water in the middle of the day. Is there any science to the best way to keep your plants hydrated? Devon is back to dispel the common myth that watering your garden on a hot summer day will result in leaf scorch. In reality, this condition is caused by either drought, root damage, or acidic damage. Learn about the science behind leaf scorch to keep your garden thriving.

In Part 3 of this Hits and Myths Retrospective, get answers to these questions. In this episode, we’ve compiled four short segments of previously aired content for easier listening. We hope you enjoy and learn from this information. Thanks for listening!

Host: Jean Thomas

Guest: Devon Russ

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski

Resources