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HARRISBURG -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced the start of aerial spraying of state woodlands to combat spongy moth populations poised for spring outbreaks in many sections of Pennsylvania.
"Suppression efforts are commencing now as these insects emerge and begin feeding," Dunn said. "As the statewide leader in protecting our Commonwealth's natural resources, we are conducting aerial spraying to keep this invasive pest in check and protect the trees from defoliation to maintain Pennsylvania's 2.2 million acres of state forests."
In 2022, spongy moth defoliated 855,406 acres in Pennsylvania.
DCNR's Bureau of Forestry will oversee spraying of 274 sites totaling 290,753 acres. Included will be portions of 13 state forests and 18 state parks, in 19 counties located in southcentral, central, northcentral, and northeast Pennsylvania. The agency's spraying efforts will cost more than $6 million, using a combination of General Funds, DCNR Special Funds, and Federal Funds.
In 2022, a total of 209,000 acres were treated. In addition to DCNR's spray program, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will also be conducting an aerial spray program in 2023 on approximately 109,000 acres of State Game Lands.
State parks to be sprayed include:
Bald Eagle, Centre County; Black Moshannon, Centre County; Colton Point, Tioga County; Fowler Hollow, Perry County; Hyner Run, Clinton County; Hyner View, Clinton County; Kettle Creek, Clinton County; Kings Gap, Cumberland; Leonard Harrison, Tioga County; Little Pine, Lycoming County; Ole Bull, Potter County; Pine Grove Furnace, Cumberland County; Poe Paddy, Centre County; Poe Valley, Centre County; Promised Land, Pike County; R.B. Winter, Union County; Ravensburg, Clinton County; Sinnemahoning, Cameron County.