Browntail moths- where are they?

As we venture further into the browntail moth season, the threat of the rash is growing. Maine is thawing for summer, and the caterpillars are traveling further and further from their nests. The Maine CDC has been tracking the movements of the pesky insects as they continue their invasion of the Downeast. 

Due to the warmer weather, the caterpillars’ host plants are continuing to grow and flower and create vast amounts of food for the caterpillars. Over the next few weeks, the caterpillars will double in size and molt their exoskeleton. Each time the caterpillar grows and molts, the number of toxic hairs increase.

While most Maine counties remain stable in numbers according to winterweb surveys, some are experiencing an increase in browntail moths and the number of citizen complaints. Bangor in Penobscot County is seeing record numbers of complaints regarding the caterpillars. According to the Maine Forest Service, this is to be expected due to the fact that Penobscot County saw an increase in winterwebs this year; keep in mind that each winterweb can contain anywhere between 30 and 400 caterpillars. 

Across the state as a whole, the Maine Forest Service found through winterweb surveys that many places that experienced severe infestation are seeing milder invasions, but more spread out. This coincides with the rest of the state which is seeing less compact nesting areas, and a greater spread throughout the state. 

Androscoggin County is continuing to see a rise in nests from 2022-2023 with both increased frequency and more widespread. Citizens of these areas need to remain vigilant, as the threat of moth hairs is going to get worse before it gets better this season. 

Blue Hill and the surrounding peninsula have also seen a slight increase in the presence of winterwebs. Coastal Maine tends to have lower rates of nests, however the threat of the moths and caterpillar rash is still very present. Midcoast Maine sees a lower frequency in nests than Southern Maine, but caterpillars are widespread from the Southeast corner all the way up through the Midcoast. 

Browntail moth rash can be highly irritating and it can be difficult to find relief. Maine Made Relief’s Browntail Moth Rash Relief Spray is all natural and made in Maine. It provides instant relief to caterpillar rash and is nontoxic and safe for humans and animals. 

To review winterweb activity in your area, and track the frequency of browntail moths with an interactive map, visit: BTM Dashboard