Time to scratch away at brownfield caterpillars, lest you get the itch later

A bright white silken threat tying leaves to tree branches is a sure sign of work done by a browntail caterpillar, inset. (Courtesy photos)

AUGUSTA, Maine - State entomologists from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry are urging property owners that now is the time to eradicate browntail caterpillars in trees that are accessible. Browntail caterpillars cause a rash like poison ivy and they are spreading across more and more of Maine. Contact with caterpillar hairs can cause severe reactions for some individuals.

The caterpillars spend the winter webbed in silken-wrapped leaves on the tips of branches of oak and apple trees. Scientists say now is the time to look for the bright white silk tying a few leaves to the tips of your apple, crab apple, plum and oak tree branches. If you see a web clip it out and destroy the web by dropping it in a bucket of soapy water. Do not just leave it on the ground.

These caterpillar webs can be found regularly from the New Hampshire border to Waldoboro, and inland to Turner and Waterville. They are worst along the coast from Falmouth to Bristol. The moths have been seen all the way to Kingfield, Millinocket and Topsfield on the New Brunswick border.

A video showing how to clip the webs and a list of arborists who could prune webs can be found at:

http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/browntail_moth_info.htm

For More Information: Contact the Maine Forest Service (207) 287-2431 or your local University of Maine Cooperative Extension Office.