Plant Industry - Proposed Spongy Moth Management
Spongy (formerly Gypsy) Moth Program 2025 Proposed Spongy Moth Management
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 2025 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 2025.
2025 Proposed Management Area Descriptions
Waynesville area: These three proposed treatment blocks totaling 5,990 acres are located in Haywood and Jackson counties. The westernmost corner of the blocks is located just north of mile marker 447 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the easternmost corner of the blocks is located one mile east of the intersection of US HWY 23 and Sylvan St. A portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway between mile markers between 445 and 447 lies inside this block. There are approximately 2,560 commercial or residential lots present within one mile of the block. In 2023, we caught a total of thirteen male moths in these blocks. In 2024, that number increased to two thousand six hundred and twenty-seven, signifying that a reproducing population is present. One application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki is proposed for these blocks.
Pilot Mountain/Pinnacle area: This 753 acre proposed treatment block is located in Stokes County. The northwest corner of the block is located about 2.9 miles east of the intersection of NC 268 E and Venable Rd. The southeastern corner is about 2.5 miles west of the intersection of NC 66 S and Pine Ridge Rd. There are 10 residences and one commercial property present within one mile of the block. In 2023, we caught a total of six male moths in this block. In 2024, that number increased to one thousand five hundred and fifty moths and pupal casings and two thousand four hundred and thirty-eight egg masses detected, signifying that a reproducing population is present. One application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki is proposed for this block.
Knotts Island area: This 427 acre proposed treatment block is located just below the North Carolina-Virginia state line and is contiguous with a proposed treatment block in Virginia. No major roads pass through this block, which is bordered to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the west by Knott’s Island Channel. This is a beach dune community, with small pine and oaks composing the wooded areas, along with grasses and small shrubs such as yaupon and wax myrtle. There are approximately 164 residential improved lots within one mile of the block. In 2023, we caught a total of twenty-six male moths in this block. In 2024, that number increased to four hundred and thirty-five, signifying that a reproducing population is present. One application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki is proposed for this block.
Glade Valley Area: This 386 acre proposed treatment block is located in Alleghany County. The block is located about two miles west of the intersection of US HWY 21 S and the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are approximately 5 residences present in the block. In 2023, we caught a total of four male moths in this block. In 2024, that number increased to twenty-two, signifying that a reproducing population is present. One application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki is proposed for this block.
For Additional Information Contact:
Sara Lalk - Forest Health Research Operations Manager
Phone: (919) 707-3743