It is still rare to find spongy moth in Minnesota, usually the only way they are detected is when lured into survey traps. Other species more commonly found in Minnesota, such as the Forest and Eastern Tent Caterpillars, can be similar-looking to spongy moth.
Spongy moth eggs are laid in a fuzzy, tan-colored mass. The egg mass contains 500-1,000 eggs and is about the size of a quarter. Eggs are laid during late summer and hatch the following spring. Egg masses can be found on both living and inanimate objects, including:
- nursery stock
- logs
- roof eaves
- wheel wells
- firewood
- lawn chairs
Egg mass
This is the life stage that is most likely to be transported by humans.
The caterpillar hatches from the egg and grows to a length of 2½ inches as it matures. Its body is covered with hairs to protect it from predators. Along its back, the caterpillar has five pairs of blue spots near the head followed by six pairs of red spots. It actively feeds on plant foliage from late spring through mid-summer.
Caterpillar (larva)The pupa is an immobile stage of this insect's life. Though it appears inactive, it is very busy inside transforming from a caterpillar into an adult moth. Found during mid-summer, it is dark reddish-brown, leathery in appearance, and often tethered to an object with silk strands. Pupae can range in size from ¾ inch to 1½ inches long.
Pupa
The adult female moth is white with brown jagged markings on her wings. Her wingspread ranges from 1 to 2 inches, but she cannot fly. Female spongy moth attracts males by releasing a pungent sex attractant (pheromone). After attracting a male and successfully mating the female lays a single egg mass and dies. Adult moths are typically active from late summer through early fall.
Adult Female
The adult male moth has feathery (plumed) antennae that are so sensitive they can "smell" a female a mile away. His body can be light beige to dark brown with black jagged bands on brown forewings. His wingspread ranges from only ¾ to 1½ inches, he is a strong flyer and capable of mating with several females. Adult moths are typically active from late summer through early fall.
Adult Male
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- Personal fall-arrest systems, such as ropes, anchors, connectors, deceleration devices, harnesses, etc. and their installation (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Fall Protection (PDF) and OSHA Fall Protection Systems)
- Installing guardrail systems on existing ladders, roofs, and platforms (see Walking-Working Surfaces/Fall Protection factsheet (PDF) and OSHA Standard 1910 subpart D)
- Equipping existing fixed ladders with a cage, well, personal fall arrest system, or ladder safety system (see Walking-Working Surfaces/Fall Protection factsheet (PDF) and OSHA Standard 1910 subpart D)
- Replacing grain bin ladders with stairs (see Ohio State University Extension – Ohio AgrAbility info)
- Personal fall-arrest systems, such as ropes, anchors, connectors, deceleration devices, harnesses, etc. and their installation (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Fall Protection (PDF) and OSHA Fall Protection Systems)
- Installing guardrail systems on existing ladders, roofs, and platforms (see Walking-Working Surfaces/Fall Protection factsheet (PDF) and OSHA Standard 1910 subpart D)
- Equipping existing fixed ladders with a cage, well, personal fall arrest system, or ladder safety system (see Walking-Working Surfaces/Fall Protection factsheet (PDF) and OSHA Standard 1910 subpart D)
- Replacing grain bin ladders with stairs (see Ohio State University Extension – Ohio AgrAbility info)
- Lockout/tagout equipment (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: LOTO (PDF) and OSHA Lockout/Tagout factsheet (PDF)
- Sweep auger equipped with an attached guard or a control mechanism such as a dead-man switch or similar device and with a positive speed control mechanism or bin stop device (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Sweep Auger Alternative Protection (PDF) from the Grain Handling Safety Coalition); this also includes sump guards/gates (see OSHA Grain Handling Facility Sweep Auger Enforcement Policy)
- Equipment shields on motors and other moving parts (see OSHA Machinery and machine guarding)
- Replacing overhead electricity to bins with buried power lines to prevent contact with augers
- Lockout/tagout equipment (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: LOTO (PDF) and OSHA Lockout/Tagout factsheet (PDF)
- Sweep auger equipped with an attached guard or a control mechanism such as a dead-man switch or similar device and with a positive speed control mechanism or bin stop device (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Sweep Auger Alternative Protection (PDF) from the Grain Handling Safety Coalition); this also includes sump guards/gates (see OSHA Grain Handling Facility Sweep Auger Enforcement Policy)
- Equipment shields on motors and other moving parts (see OSHA Machinery and machine guarding)
- Replacing overhead electricity to bins with buried power lines to prevent contact with augers
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use in silos where silo gas may be present (see National Ag Safety Database Dangers of Silo Gas)
- Appropriate NIOSH-approved respirators (see AgriSafe factsheet or NASD Respiratory Protection in Agriculture) for use in and around grain bins and silos
- Other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in and around grain bins and silos, such as hearing protection (see NASD hearing protection or NIOSH factsheet) or ANSI certified safety glasses
- Safety signs and markers appropriate for grain bins and silos (see OSHA Accident prevention signs and tags)
- Grain bin level gauges/indicators to reduce the need to climb bins
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use in silos where silo gas may be present (see National Ag Safety Database Dangers of Silo Gas)
- Appropriate NIOSH-approved respirators (see AgriSafe factsheet or NASD Respiratory Protection in Agriculture) for use in and around grain bins and silos
- Other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in and around grain bins and silos, such as hearing protection (see NASD hearing protection or NIOSH factsheet) or ANSI certified safety glasses
- Safety signs and markers appropriate for grain bins and silos (see OSHA Accident prevention signs and tags)
- Grain bin level gauges/indicators to reduce the need to climb bins
- Personal fall-arrest systems, such as ropes, anchors, connectors, deceleration devices, harnesses, etc. and their installation (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Fall Protection (PDF) and OSHA Fall Protection Systems)
- Installing guardrail systems on existing ladders, roofs, and platforms (see Walking-Working Surfaces/Fall Protection factsheet (PDF) and OSHA Standard 1910 subpart D)
- Equipping existing fixed ladders with a cage, well, personal fall arrest system, or ladder safety system (see Walking-Working Surfaces/Fall Protection factsheet (PDF) and OSHA Standard 1910 subpart D)
- Replacing grain bin ladders with stairs (see Ohio State University Extension – Ohio AgrAbility info)
- Lockout/tagout equipment (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: LOTO (PDF) and OSHA Lockout/Tagout factsheet (PDF)
- Sweep auger equipped with an attached guard or a control mechanism such as a dead-man switch or similar device and with a positive speed control mechanism or bin stop device (see Grain Handling Safety Coalition: Sweep Auger Alternative Protection (PDF) from the Grain Handling Safety Coalition); this also includes sump guards/gates (see OSHA Grain Handling Facility Sweep Auger Enforcement Policy)
- Equipment shields on motors and other moving parts (see OSHA Machinery and machine guarding)
- Replacing overhead electricity to bins with buried power lines to prevent contact with augers
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use in silos where silo gas may be present (see National Ag Safety Database Dangers of Silo Gas)
- Appropriate NIOSH-approved respirators (see AgriSafe factsheet or NASD Respiratory Protection in Agriculture) for use in and around grain bins and silos
- Other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in and around grain bins and silos, such as hearing protection (see NASD hearing protection or NIOSH factsheet) or ANSI certified safety glasses
- Safety signs and markers appropriate for grain bins and silos (see OSHA Accident prevention signs and tags)
- Grain bin level gauges/indicators to reduce the need to climb bins
Disclaimer
The MDA is merely the grantor of state funds for this program. Approval and reimbursement of funds by the MDA for equipment purchased by the grantee does not make the MDA liable or responsible for the use of such equipment or any injuries or claims that might arise from such use. The MDA is also not responsible or liable for the quality of or inability to use such equipment purchased under this program.
