MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • June 10, 2021
The browntail moth is an insect of forest and human health concern which was accidently introduced into the U.S. from Europe in 1897. By 1913, the insect had spread to all of the New England states. Browntail moth populations in Maine have been in an outbreak phase since 2015, and populations last year continued to increase. People in areas with browntail moth populations (PDF | 640 KB) should take precautions to minimize exposure to the caterpillars’ hairs.