JUNE 17, 2025 - LARAMIE, WY – The City of Laramie is assisting the Wyoming Department of Agriculture with efforts to monitor for the presence of the Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar), a highly invasive insect known for damaging deciduous trees through defoliation.
This summer, eight monitoring traps will be installed in select City parks and at Greenhill Cemetery. The traps are designed to detect any early presence of the Spongy Moth, which has caused severe outbreaks in parts of the Northeast and Midwest but has not yet established a significant presence in Wyoming.
The traps are small, orange, triangular cardboard structures that contain a glue board and pheromone lure. No pesticides or harmful chemicals are used. They will be secured in trees approximately 6–8 feet off the ground using zip ties and will remain in place from late June through mid-August.
Targeted trap locations include:
- Washington Park
- LaBonte Park
- Laramie Park
- Undine Park
- Greenhill Cemetery
- Optimist Park
- Laramie River Monolith Public Access Area
- Kiwanis Park Community Garden
Monitoring efforts are part of a broader initiative to prevent the spread of invasive species in Wyoming. If any positive detections are recorded, further updates will be provided.
For more information, please contact the Wyoming Department of Agriculture at (307) 777-6574.