Washington state is planning an attack against giant Asian moths. A warning of an ‘imminent danger of an infestation’ has been issued in areas northeast of Seattle after officials spotted the first-ever Asia native Hokkaido gypsy moth in the US

Exotic pests which lay up to 500 eggs and could be detrimental to agricultural industries are spotted in the US for the first time

• Washington state is preparing for an infestation of giant Asian moths
•  Hokkaido gypsy moth was spotted for the first time in the US outside of Seattle
• The pests fly up to 20 miles, allowing them to feast on a broader range of plants
• Females lay 500 eggs at once and the caterpillars cause widespread damage
• Officials are taking action by spraying crops and woodland areas 

Washington state is planning an attack against giant Asian moths.

A warning of an ‘imminent danger of an infestation’ has been issued in areas northeast of Seattle after officials spotted the first-ever Asia native Hokkaido gypsy moth in the US.

What makes these moths so dangerous is their ability to fly up to 20 miles, allowing them to feast on a broader range of host plants.

The moths are said to be ‘aggressive’ defoliators that feed on 500 different types of host trees, which in turn weakens vegetation and makes them more susceptible to diseases.

The Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) issued a statement regarding the invasive moths: ‘This imminent danger of infestation seriously endangers the agricultural and horticultural industries of the state of Washington and seriously threatens the economic well-being and quality of life of state residents.’

The Asian Gypsy moths (AGM) are said to be ‘aggressive’ defoliators that feed on 500 different types of host trees.

This defoliation can severally weaken vegetation, making them more vulnerable to disease, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

‘If they would become established here, they could cause serious, widespread damage to our country’s landscape and natural resources,’ the US department shared in a release.

Female moths can grow up to 3 and half inches long and lay up to 500 eggs at a time. As hundreds of brightly colored, hair caterpillars hatch they create widespread damage in the environment

What makes these moths so dangerous is their ability to fly up to 20 miles, allowing them to feast on a broader range of host plants

‘AGMs are similar to the European gypsy moth found in the northeastern United States, but have a much broader host range.’

Female moths can grow up to 3 and half inches long and lay up to 500 eggs at a time.

As hundreds of brightly colored, hair caterpillars hatch they create widespread damage in the environment.

‘AGM females are also active fliers. Their ability to fly long distances makes it probable that AGMs could quickly spread throughout the United States,’ the United States Department of Agriculture explains.

Washington state governor Jay Inslee recently proclaimed that WSDA is working to eradicate the pests invading the state.

The moths are said to be ‘aggressive’ defoliators that feed on 500 different types of host trees, which in turns weakens vegetation and makes them more susceptible to diseases

The treatment to eradicate the moths will be spread using aerial applications and is a soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, or Btk, which is an insecticide approved for use in organic agriculture and in organic gardening

‘We will treat a total of about 1,300 acres at two sites, including one site with the first-ever detection of the Hokkaido gypsy moth in the United States – a type of Asian gypsy moth that predominately feeds on larch trees in its native environment, Inslee writes.

The treatment will be spread using aerial applications and is a soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, or Btk, which is an insecticide approved for use in organic agriculture and in organic gardening.

‘It has an excellent safety record around people, plants, pets, fish, birds and bees and has been used globally for decades as a safe and effective treatment for combating gypsy moth,’ Inslee states.

‘Treatments occur as gypsy moth caterpillars emerge in the spring and begin to feed on vegetation.’

‘Aerial treatments are proposed for the Woodway and Boulevard Bluffs areas.’