BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 25, 2022
One of the primary host trees for brown tailed moth is oak. Using pesticides on these trees would have enormous implications for wildlife. Oak trees are host plants for over 500 species of butterfly and moth (meaning that the caterpillars of these species eat the leaves in the spring and early summer). These caterpillars in turn are used by countless bird species to feed their young (caterpillars, being soft, squishy and full of protein, are perfect baby bird food). Many other tree species are host plants as well for butterflies and moths, including cherry, maple and more. Pesticides that target browntail moth caterpillars are likely to target soft bodied insects like caterpillars in general. ~ Rachel Smith, Bangor