The Palermo Community Library has purchased a pole pruner which is available for patrons to borrow to remove brown tail winter webs from their trees.

The library is located at 2789 Route 3.

Don Salvatore with the new pole pruner that is available for patrons to borrow to prune any brown tail moth winter webs from their trees. Photo courtesy of Palermo Community Library.

During a recent presentation on brown tail moths at the Palermo Community Library, UMO entomologist Eleanor Groden, PhD, described the health hazards and ecological damage the insects present to Mainers.

The brown tail moth is an invasive species introduced from Europe. The moths’ greatest population densities are along the central Maine shore, but they are expanding their range inland and now present a moderate exposure risk to Palermo residents and those in surrounding areas, according to a news release from Pam Swift, secretary, Board of Trustees.

The hairs on the caterpillar contain a toxin. When the hairs are released, they are dispersed by the wind and settle on decks, picnic tables, line-dried laundry, and the ground surrounding infested trees. When the barbed hairs come in contact with exposed skin, they release the toxin which can cause severe dermatitis.

If the hairs are inhaled, they can lead to respiratory distress. The hairs persist in the environment for three years.

Because of the unusual lifecycle of this species, in that it overwinters in the caterpillar form instead of as eggs, it causes defoliation of trees in both the spring and the fall. This double hit of defoliation is a huge stressor for trees and can result in their death. The hardest hit tree species are oak and apple.

The recommended strategy for combatting the moths is to prune their winter webs out of the trees and burn them. Each web houses hundreds of small caterpillars.

For more information, call 993-6088 or email palermo@palermo.lib.me.us or visit palermo.lib.me.us.