MAINE PUBLIC • June 21, 2022
Researchers at the University of Maine say they have new findings about the diet habits of the invasive browntail moth. The discovery could point to further spread of the insects, which can cause intense itching and discomfort in some people. For most of the last century, Maine's browntail moths were limited to the Casco Bay region. But over the last several years, they've spread across the state. The caterpillars especially favor oaks and fruit trees, and were thought to feed solely on deciduous trees. But University of Maine researchers have found the moths might be able to spread into coniferous forests in Maine, further expanding their range.