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County spongy moth coordinator: no 2026 mitigation after fungal mortality observed
Summary
Gary Yew told the Board that egg‑mass surveys, aerial mapping and observed fungal mortality mean the county will not conduct spongy moth mitigation in 2026; he said populations cycle every 10–15 years and wet springs favor the controlling fungus.
Gary Yew, Shenandoah County’s spongy moth coordinator, told supervisors the county will not conduct mitigation in 2026 after recent egg‑mass surveys, aerial mapping and observed mortality from naturally occurring fungus.
"There will be no 2026 mitigation efforts after conducting egg mass surveys, aerial mapping, and visuals on mortality from naturally occurring fungus," Yew said, and he reviewed mitigation activities from 2024 and 2025. He advised the Board that spongy moth outbreaks tend to cycle every 10 to 15 years and that wet spring seasons allow fungal pathogens to reduce populations.
Vice Chairman Dennis Morris credited Yew for the successful monitoring and mitigation work. The presentation gave the Board a status update but did not propose new county spending for 2026; supervisors took no further action during the meeting.
