HUNTINGTON COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public opinion as officials look to combat an invasive species found in northeast Indiana.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the DNR will host public meetings regarding proposals for two treatment areas in Huntington County in 2026. One area consists of a 120-acre stretch just east of Mount Etna, while the other spans 530 acres between Markle and J.E. Roush Lake.
The two areas have been identified as having infestations, and while the meetings are open to anybody, the meetings will be geared toward residents who live in or near the two sites.
Spongy moth prefer oak trees but are known to feed on hundreds of species of trees and shrubs, and high populations can lead to defoliation and death. The end result can lead to problems for homeowners and extensive damage to U.S. forests.
The DNR has several plans of attack at its disposal to manage spongy moth:
- Mass trapping by capturing male spongy moths before they have a chance to mate
- Aerial application of a naturally occurring bacteria, Btk, which eliminates spongy moth larvae
- Mating disruption by spraying a scent that confuses male spongy moths and prevents mating
Officials could also decide to use a combination of these treatments or opt to not take any action, which is why the DNR wants to hear from the community before making a move.
According to the DNR, spongy moth were first introduced in the U.S. in the late 1860s by an “amateur entomologist” and have since spread throughout the Northeast and parts of the upper Midwest…