Shenandoah National Park to employ aerial spraying against spongy moth

~ Press release provided by Shenandoah National Park

LURAY, April 22 — Shenandoah National Park will conduct an aerial spraying program in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to suppress nonnative spongy moth caterpillars along sections of Skyline Drive (miles 39 to 51) and in the Skyland and Big Meadows areas in May.

Because weather conditions are unpredictable, officials do not know the exact dates of the spraying operation. Based on history, the spray window will likely be from May 15 through May 17, or May 20 through May 21.

Once a date has been established park officials will notify the public via signage, handouts at entrance stations, its website, and social media. Visitors who are planning to visit the Park during the spraying window should be sure to check the website listed below.

The park will be using a naturally occurring bacteria — Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, or Btk, as an aerial pesticide. Btk is widespread in natural ecosystems and is not harmful to humans, pets, plants, or most beneficial insects. The spray will not cause harm to painted surfaces and can be removed with soap and water. Btk is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use against spongy moths. A total of 3,150 acres will be sprayed from a specialized helicopter between 6:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. on two mornings.

Over the past two years, spongy moth numbers have grown causing forest defoliation in large areas in the central section of Shenandoah. Additional defoliation would likely cause significant tree mortality, which would create safety hazards in high visitor-use areas and damage forest habitats.

The goals of the park’s Spongy Moth Suppression Program are to provide visitor safety along Skyline Drive and other developed areas by reducing hazard tree development and to protect sensitive historic and natural areas. These suppression goals will not eliminate spongy moths from the park completely, but it will minimize their impacts in specific infestation areas.

Treatment areas were chosen based on USFS egg mass population surveys during the fall of 2023 and aerial defoliation mapping conducted by the Virginia Department of Forestry in June 2023. The suppression effort at the park is part of a larger USFS effort to suppress spongy moth in the area on a total of over 16,000 acres mostly in the Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

For information about the spraying program during days your visiting the park,

https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/spongy-moth-in-shenandoah.htm

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