Translation of French name
based on destructive forest pest’s sponge-like egg masses
March 2, 2022—”Spongy
moth” has been formally adopted as the new common name for the gypsy moth
species Lymantria dispar by the Entomological Society of America.
The Entomological Society of America (ESA) Governing Board voted
unanimously last week to approve the addition of “spongy
moth” to
ESA’s Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List, completing a process
started in July 2021 when the previous name, “gypsy moth,” was
removed due to its use of a derogatory term for the Romani people. The change
is the first undertaken by ESA’s Better Common Names Project.
The name—derived from the common
name used in France and French-speaking Canada, “spongieuse”—refers
to the moth’s sponge-like egg masses.
“Lymantria dispar is a
damaging pest in North American forests, and public awareness is critical in
slowing its spread. ‘Spongy moth’ gives entomologists and foresters a name for
this species that reinforces an important feature of the moth’s biology and
moves away from the out-dated term that was previously used,” says ESA President
Jessica Ware, Ph.D. “We are grateful to the diverse community of people
and organizations who have been involved in this renaming process and have
committed to adopting ‘spongy moth’ as well.”
The spongy moth is an invasive
pest of North American forests that can defoliate hundreds of tree and shrub
species. Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, it was introduced in
Massachusetts in the 1800s and is now widespread in the northeastern United
States and eastern Canada and costs hundreds of millions of dollars each year
in damage and prevention and control efforts. A primary way the spongy moth
spreads is via these egg masses when transported on firewood, outdoor
equipment, and vehicles. Public awareness of the L. dispar egg mass and its
sponge-like appearance is important in controlling the pest, as the insect
spends most of its life cycle (10 months) in the egg stage.
Through its addition to the ESA
Common Names List, “spongy moth” will now be adopted for use in
articles published in ESA’s scientific journals and in presentations and
posters at ESA conferences, as well as in ESA’s website, social media, and
public policy documents.
ESA encourages other organizations
and individuals who work in research or management of Lymantria dispar to
transition to the use of “spongy moth” in communications, documents,
and publications as time and resources allow in coming months and years. The
Better Common Names Project has published a toolkit for adopting the new name,
with recommendations, frequently asked questions, and a flyer for raising
public awareness.
“‘Spongy moth’ is already
beginning to appear in media stories and other online resources, which we’re
excited to see. But we know this name change won’t happen overnight,” Ware
says. “Particularly in books or print products, or regulations related to
L. dispar, phasing in use of the new name may take some time. ESA will continue
to provide supporting resources for organizations adopting this change.”
The name “spongy moth” was recommended
by a working group that included more than 50 scientists and professionals who
work in research or forest management settings in both the United States and
Canada, as well as Romani scholars working on human rights issues. The group
gathered name suggestions and additional input from a broad array of interested
individuals and organizations, including entomologists, forestry professionals,
federal agencies, state departments of agriculture and natural resources,
conservation groups, pest control and plant protection organizations, and
Romani people. More than 200 name proposals were evaluated, and a list of seven
finalist names was shared with these groups for consideration, with more than
1,000 responses received. “Spongy moth” was put forth for a two-week
comment period beginning January 25, and comments were reviewed by the ESA
Common Names Committee and ESA Governing Board prior to final approval.