Plant Industry - Spongy Moth Name Change

Plant Industry - Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth): Name Change

Latin species names for animals rarely change. However, common names are consistently under review to reflect current connotations and usage, much like how dictionaries are updated each year.

The list of official insect common names in the USA is maintained by the Entomological Society of America. ESA’s common names committee takes into consideration common names across several world languages. These changes often lead to easier translation/ interpretation of trade documents and reduced confusion for researchers, regulators, and professionals.

The original American common name for Lymantria dispar was gypsy moth, and ESA updated the common name to spongy moth in 2022. You can read more about the ESA’s name change process for Lymantria dispar at the Entomological Society of America website  and about USDA’s adoption of the new name at USDA website. This official name change has been adopted by NCDA&CS for consistency, and we list the old name for clarity.