New name, same pest.
A destructive leaf-munching insect is getting a more inclusive moniker.
Once known as the "gypsy moth," the species Lymantria dispar will now commonly be known as the "spongy moth."
The governing board of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) voted unanimously last week to approve the addition of spongy moth to its Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List. The purpose of common names is to make communication easier between scientists and the public audiences they serve, the ESA explained.
The change completes 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 new moniker -- derived from the common name used in France and French-speaking Canada, "spongieuse" -- refers to the moth's sponge-like egg masses, according to the ESA.
"'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foresters a name for this species that reinforces an important feature of the moth's biology and moves away from the outdated term that was previously used," ESA President Jessica Ware, said in a statement.
The spongy moth is an invasive pest of North American forests that can defoliate hundreds of tree and shrub species. They feast during the caterpillar stage and cause hundreds of millions of dollars each year in damage and prevention and control efforts.
The leaf-eating caterpillars are hairy, up to two-inches long and have a pattern of blue and dark red spots. Male moths are dark buff in color and fly; females are white with black, wavy markings and do not fly.
A primary way the spongy moth spreads is through egg masses transported on firewood, outdoor equipment and vehicles. Wildlife officials say public awareness is critical in slowing its spread.
The change is the first undertaken by ESA's Better Common Names Project, established to evaluate names that perpetuate harm against people of various ethnicities and races. The goal of the project is to address problematic common names of insets, including those with derogative terms and inappropriate geographic references, to provide welcoming and inclusive communication and outreach.
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 evaluated more than 200 name proposals before deciding on spongy moth.
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