Climate change is projected to drive renewed spongy moth attacks on North American forests

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 06 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02206-9

For almost 30 years, an insect fungal disease has repressed defoliation caused by the spongy moth in North American hardwood forests. The fungus needs cool, moist weather, but computer models project that the effects of climate change will prevent the fungus from killing spongy moths, which could lead to a resurgence of this devastating forest pest.