Project Category: Emission Reduction

Project Description:

The Community Moth-Up is an event and communications campaign to raise awareness about the moth species Lymantria dispar dispar, also known as LDD moth and formerly known as the European Gypsy Moth, which is invasive to this region. There will be Community Moth-Up events throughout the summer and fall where small groups will be instructed to remove moth egg masses on trees in parks and ESAs across London. 

In addition to this friendly competition, the Community Moth-Up aims to educate Londoners about the gypsy moth through a communications campaign, including printed and digital ads. This project aims to educate Londoners and empower them to take hold of the moth invasion, which has been destroying native trees like the Oak. By saving trees and supporting additional tree planting in the community, the Community Moth-Up will help to keep London's urban forest healthy, thereby sequestering carbon emissions in the local area.

We are excited to share that the Community Moth-Up working group has been created so that conservation and environmental groups in London can work together to raise awareness and run moth-ups throughout the year!

See our information sheet here to learn more about the LDD Moth.

What are the high-priority areas in London?

• Westminster Ponds ESA (696 Wellington Rd, London, ON N6C 4R2)
• Kains Woods ESA (1888 Riverbend Road & 1509 Shore Road, London, ON N6K 4Z6)
• Meadowlily Woods ESA (65 Meadowlily Rd S #35, London, ON N6M 1C3)
• Sifton Bog ESA (1210 Oxford St W, London, ON N6H 4N2)
• Fairmont Park (117 Tweedsmuir Ave
• Grand View Park (385 Grandview Ave)
• Griffith Street Park (561 Griffith St)
• Crestwood Woods (635 Boler Rd)
• Somerset Woods (25 Fourwinds Rd)
• Clara Brenton Woods (367 Richmeadow Road)

How to Trap the LDD Moth:

Two of the most commonly used methods for trapping the LDD moth are burlap banding (from late April to late August) and removing egg masses (from late August to mid-April). Click on the links below for steps on each method!

• Burlap Banding Instruction Sheet
• Burlap Banding Video from City of Hamilton
• Removing Egg Masses Instruction Sheet
• Removing Egg Masses Video from Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
  

How to Support this Project:

• Follow along with the instruction sheets and videos to "moth-up" trees in your neighbourhood.
• Do you know an area highly affected by the LDD moth? Add it to the Community LDD Moth Map here.
• Learn about what the City of London is doing to manage this invasive species here.
• Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up to date on environmental events like these.

Watch:

LDD moth lifecycle infographic from the City of London.