Are they out of the woods yet? The 2023 spongy moth forecast

  • PHOTO PROVIDED BY KARLA SALP, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUGWOOD.ORG. First instar black spongy moth caterpillars emerge from egg masses.
    PHOTO PROVIDED BY KARLA SALP, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUGWOOD.ORG. First instar black spongy moth caterpillars emerge from egg masses.

    LANSING

    Despite the recent cold weather, spongy moth caterpillars already may be hatching in the Lower Peninsula, according to Michigan State University’s Enviroweather prediction model.

    The good news is that areas hardest hit by the nuisance caterpillars in the last few years should see a significant population decrease this year.

    According to James Wieferich, forest health unit manager with the Mic…