Spongy Moths: Where in The Hudson Valley Are They Now?

Good news, it looks like the spongy caterpillar/moth Hudson Valley invasion is dwindling down.

The Spongy Moth Hudson Valley Invasion of 2024

From May until late June 2024 you couldn't go outside (or scroll on social media) without coming across a spongy caterpillar/moth. The invasion was reeking havoc across the region.

The bugs, which allegedly didn't bite, but could cause skin irritations for humans, were everywhere! The DEC reports that the caterpillars hatch and grow during late spring and early summer and that the lower-Hudson Valley was "experiencing increased spongy moth activity" in May of 2024.

Thankfully, we're just about to the end of what the DEC calls "the feeding frenzy." So where are the Spongy Moths now?

Hudson Valley Spongy Moths: Where Are They Now?

They're pupating. Seriously.

The DEC writes as the summer winds down the spongy moth caterpillars prepare to turn into moths adding "At this point in the summer, caterpillars are forming cases around themselves as they prepare to turn into moths, a process called pupating."

They explain further writing "the feeding frenzy of spring and early summer will come to a close." While the Spongy Moths were active they "defoliated" the trees around the region. Now that the spongy moths chowed down through their share of leaves, trees and leaves can regrow.

The DEC headed to the skies to see the damage caused by the spongy moths during the spring and summer. The photo below from the DEC is an "aerial view of defoliation caused by spongy moth" that they posted to their social media accounts this week:

Crazy, right!?

You can read more data about spongy moths and the areas that were effected by their "invasion" in 2024 below:

Destructive Mother Nature and Bed Bug Infestation in New York State

Speaking of nature being destructive, the spongy moth hasn't been the only one to leave a path of destruction behind.

Upstate, New York has been slammed with some intense weather over the last few weeks. Take a look at photos from Rome, New York after a confirmed tornado touched down in July of 2024:

And while were talking about bugs...here's a list of New York cities that have and or had a bed bug problem in 2024:

Here are some fun New York creepy-crawlers that will send a shiver down your spine...gross!