High in the trees, as soon as the first leaf buds begin to open in the early spring, browntail moth caterpillars emerge from their winter nests. The larvae voraciously feed on the young leaves with a particular appetite for hardwood species, including oak and apple. A heavily infested tree can contain over 1,000 nests, each read more Stemming the tide: UMaine research targets browntail moth epidemic and brings relief to Maine’s affected communities