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VIRGINIA SPONGY MOTH AERIAL TREATMENT SCHEDULE

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and USDA Forest Service propose to cooperate in the aerial application of the spongy moth mating disruption pheromone in the counties listed below, and additionally cooperate in the aerial application of NPV, a pesticide specific to Spongy Moth, in one other locality listed. The mating disruption applications are to be conducted using fixed-wing aircraft from daybreak until evening in late May or early June.

The timing of the mating disruption treatments is scheduled to coincide with the emergence of the adult spongy moth in late May to late June. Weather conditions during spring and early summer will determine the rate at which spongy moth develops and is therefore a major factor in determining the treatment dates. The timing of the NPV treatment is scheduled to coincide with the emergence of the caterpillars of spongy moth in late March or early April. Due to unpredictable weather conditions, the specific treatment dates cannot be determined until just prior to spongy moth emergence.

VDACS will monitor spongy moth development in 2026 and provide updates to the schedule below. Please check this webpage periodically to obtain future treatment dates for your county or call 804.371.2175 for a pre-recorded message with daily treatment schedules.

Tentative Treatment schedule:

Block Name - County/City Treatment - Treatment Dates
LAURE_1 – Washington SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
MTHER_1 – Pittsylvania SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
Halifax_1 – Halifax SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
Mecklenburg_2 – Mecklenburg SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
Mecklenburg_1 – Mecklenburg SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
Pittsylvania_1 – Pittsylvania SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
SALTV_1 – Russell, Smyth SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
BUFFS_1 – Mecklenburg SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
Smyth_1 – Smyth SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
POUNM_1 – Tazewell SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
Russell_1 – Russell, Washington SPLAT (MD) - Late May to early June
Virginia Beach_1 – Virginia Beach Gypchek (NPV) - Late March to mid April

Contact
VDACS’ Spongy Moth Slow the Spread Office
540.394.2507
slowthespread@vdacs.virginia.gov

Click here for Office of Plant Industry Services contact information.