PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Winter moths, an invasive insect that defoliates trees, could be particularly problematic this spring for drought-stressed trees in New England.
Native to Europe, winter moths have damaged a growing number of trees in the region in recent years. They emerge from Thanksgiving to Christmas when females lay eggs. Caterpillars hatch in the early spring and start chomping. They like maples, oaks and apple trees, but they’ll feed on a wide variety of hardwood trees.
