Plant Industry - Proposed Spongy Moth Management

Spongy (formerly Gypsy) Moth Program 2024 Proposed Spongy Moth Management

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services proposes to conduct eleven mating disruption protocols.

As part of the environmental assessment process, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services provides information on spongy moth biology and management and solicits comments from the general public. As a courtesy to those who live in and around management areas, we also collect contact information if you would like to be notified the day before a specific management plan takes place. For more information about spongy moth biology and management options, please click here to watch a short video or click on the embedded video below. For more information about spongy moth biology and management options, please click here to watch a short video or click on the embedded video below.

Please click on the map below to view managed locations and for information about public information events for each proposed management area. For additional information please call 984-867-6127. To submit a public comment for a particular management area or to request management notifications, please click here or submit the electronic form at the end of the webpage.

Proposed 2024 Spongy Moth Management Blocks - type your address into the search bar on the map below to see if you reside in one of the proposed management blocks for 2024.

2024 Proposed Management Area Descriptions

Carova Beach area: This 353-acre proposed management area is in Currituck County. The northern edge of this area is the Virginia state line, with the area extending south to Marlin Lane. The eastern edge of this area is the beach, and the western edge is east of the wetlands around Deal Island. In 2023 we captured 36 male moths within the proposed area, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Ellisboro area: This 957-acre proposed management area is in Rockingham County. The northwest corner of this area is south of the intersection of Ellisboro and Dalton Lake Roads, the northeast corner is south of the intersection of Landreth and Williams Roads, the southeast corner is between Laura and Payne Dairy Roads, and the southwest corner is northeast of Gideon Grove Church Road and Austin Lane. In 2022 we captured 5 male moths within the proposed area and in 2023 the number increased to 38 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Walnut Cove area: This 651-acre proposed management area is in Stokes County. The northwest corner of this area is east of the intersection of Rosebud and Miller Roads, the northeast corner is west of Meadow Brook Airfield, the southeast corner is between Brook Cove Road and Town Fork Creek, and the southwest corner is north of the intersection of Miller and Brook Cove Roads. In 2022 we captured 5 male moths within the proposed area and in 2023 the number increased to 12 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Hanging Rock area: This 974-acre proposed management area is in Stokes County. The northwestern corner of this area is between King and Inman Roads, the northeastern corner is southeast of the intersection of NC Highway 66 N and Tom Martin Road, the southeastern corner is northeast of the intersection of NC Highway 268 and Early Lane, and the southwestern corner is southeast of Red Hill Road. In 2022 we captured 18 male moths within the proposed area and in 2023 the number increased to 63 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Cumberland Knob area: This 13,972-acre proposed management area is in Alleghany County. The northern edge of this area is the Virginia state line north of Cumberland Knob with the area following the Blue Ridge Parkway to the intersection of the Parkway with US Highway 21. The eastern edge of the area overlies the Alleghany/Surry county line, and the western edge is east of Glade Valley Road south of Saddle View Road and west of Glade Valley Road until the intersection at Golf View Lane. In 2022 we captured 34 male moths and in 2023 the number increased to 141 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Zionville area: This 436-acre proposed management area is in Watauga County. The northernmost point is south of the confluence of Mine Branch and the North Fork New River, the eastern corner is west of Petty Drive, the southern corner is south of the Elk Knob Trail Parking area, and the western corner is north of the Elk Knob Picnic Area. In 2023 we captured 25 male moths within the proposed area, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Burnsville area: This 5,393-acre proposed management area is in Yancey County. The northernmost point of this area is west of the intersection of Family Circle Drive and Georges Fork Road, the easternmost point is west of the intersection of Powderhorn Drive and State Highway 80, the southernmost point is north of Brown Creek, and the westernmost point is east of Dove Cove Road. In 2022 we captured 7 male moths within the proposed area and in 2023 the number increased to107 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Pensacola area: This 2,117-acre proposed management area is in Yancey County. The northern corner of this area is south of the intersection of Winterberry Road and Woodcrest Road, the easternmost edge is between Mill Creek Lane and Ewing Lane, the southern corner falls between Old Growth Forest Road and Haney Creek Road, and the western edge is east of Blankenship Creek Road. In 2022 we captured 4 male moths within the proposed area and in 2023 the number increased to 35 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Eskota area: This 2,346-acre proposed management area is in Yancey County. The northernmost point of this area is south of Falling Water Branch, the western point is south of Timber Creek, the southern point is southeast of the confluence of Beech Nursery Creek and Blue Sea Creek, and the eastern edge is east of Shateen Gap. In 2022 we captured 2 male moths within the proposed area and in 2023 the number increased to 17 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Leicester area: This 887-acre proposed management area is in Buncombe County. The northernmost point of this area is west of the intersection of Stonegate Trail and S. Turkey Creek Road, the eastern edge is between S. Turkey Creek Road and Mears Drive, the southernmost point is south of the end of S. Turkey Creek Road, and the westernmost point is east of the intersection of Peepeye Cove Road and Coyote Ridge Run. In 2022 we captured 8 male moths within the proposed area and in 2023 the number increased to 26 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

Cruso area: This 6,399-acre proposed management area is in Haywood County. The northernmost point of this area is south of River Run Road, the easternmost point falls between Pisgah Creek Road and the eastern end of Hungry Creek Road, the southernmost point is southwest of the Shining Creek Trailhead, and the western edge falls midway between Highway 276 and the peak of Cold Mountain. In 2022 we captured 23 male moths within the proposed area and in 2023 the number increased to 83 male moths captured, signifying that a reproducing population was present. A mating disruption protocol is proposed for this block in late May or early June.

For Additional Information Contact: 
Sara Lalk - Forest Health Research Operations Manager 
Phone: (919) 707-3743