Douglas-fir Tussock Moth
in the Pacific Northwest
Douglas-fir tussock moth (DFTM) is a native insect that feeds on the needles of Douglas-fir and several true firs. Heavy defoliation may lead to tree mortality, and hairs from the DFTM caterpillars cause allergic reactions for some people. An environmental impact statement dealing with potential short-term treatments was prepared. A natually occuring virus was used on national forests to treat ~40,000 acres in 2000 and ~16,000 acres in 2001. Additional acres were treated by the States of Idaho and Washington.
Plans are underway to treat DFTM populations in north-central Washington in the spring of 2010; view additional information about this project.
Other Douglas-fir Tussock Moth webpages:
DFTM website homepage
Suppression Project 2000
Suppression Project 2001
Final EIS Record of Decision
