BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 21, 2022
Researchers with the Maine Forest Service have noticed something welcome at some of their monitoring sites in recent days — browntail moth caterpillars that have been killed by a fungus that thrives in wet, cool conditions. The die-off, most noticeable in the midcoast and parts of the capital area, presents a glimmer of hope for Mainers contending with the itchy rash, respiratory issues and other problems caused by the caterpillars. Maine has been experiencing a yearly browntail moth outbreak since 2015, when the invasive species was responsible for more than 10,000 acres of tree defoliation in the state. Over the last seven years, populations have rapidly grown, with almost 200,000 damaged acres mapped in aerial surveys last year.