Spongy Moth
Hide your cashmere! Pull out your cedar chest!
Just kidding – these cute little jerks are actually arboreal eaters, especially oaks. Invasive in North America, unchecked populations of spongy moths (Lymantria dispar) can literally strip a forest bare. Since their introduction to North America in the 1860s, they’ve caused billions of dollars of timber losses, landscape damage, and control costs. Fun fact: They were accidentally introduced in Massachusetts in the late 1800s by a scientist trying to breed them for silk production. They escaped and have since spread widely across the northeastern U.S. and parts of the Midwest.
Happily, trout and other predatory fish are opportunistic eaters, and a wayward moth is an irresistible treat. Also, LOOK HOW CUTE!
Fly: Spongy Moth
Tied by: Erin Hyde
Techniques by: Gabriel Dumitru
Target Species: Trout, bass, panfish
Materials:
- Sewing Needle
- Fluorocarbon line
- Thread
- Foam (black)
- Body wrap (brown)
- Fuzz (technically scales made of chitin)
- Hook (#8)
- Eyes (black, small)
- Legs (combined with fuzz)
- Wings
- Antennae
- Super glue
Tools:
Video/Photo Setup:
Need more? For a vast array of fly tying materials and tools, visit FlyFishFood.com
Did you tie this fly?
Nicely done!
Tag me @_shetiesflies_ on Instagram so I can admire your masterpiece!
