This, That & The Other

Moths, ComicCon & Django

By Ken DeLaat

What’s In A Name?
Remember the devastation to foliage that occurred last Spring, causing our area to curse the very reference to anything related to the gyspy moths?
Well, those expletives need to be altered if one is to correctly name the nasty little defoliators.
“The Entomological Society of America today announced a new common name for the Lymantria dispar moth. The invasive moth most familiar in its voracious, leaf-eating caterpillar stage will now be known as “spongy moth.”
Gypsy Moth, the former name, was removed from the ESA Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List in July 2021 because it contained a derogatory term for Romani people. The move is part of the society’s Better Common Names Project.
“When an invasive species carries the name of a nation or culture, it’s easy to unintentionally associate that culture with the pest’s harmful effects,” said Joanne Foreman, invasive species communications coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “We anticipate additional common name changes for other invasive species to reduce these negative connotations.”
Got it.
And by the way, being a proud descendant of Netherlands-based people…
What might be  the plans  for renaming Dutch Elm Disease?
What's that? The tree is Dutch and not the disease?
Never mind.

Caterpillar: Though it’s now called “spongy moth,” the spotted, yellow-faced, invasive caterpillar is a familiar sight in many areas of Michigan. Photo courtesy of Harutu Ovidiu, University of Oradea, Bugwood.org.

More Moth Material
Speaking of gyp.. oops…I mean spongy moths let’s not forget about the upcoming seminar
“New Name, Familiar Pest” (9 a.m. Thursday, April 14), focusing on the unusual history of the ravenous little moth in the United States and here in Michigan, and what you can do to reduce some of the unpleasant impacts of an outbreak. An expert panel will share tips to help stressed trees recover from leaf loss and options to help reduce the nuisance effects around the home.

---

MuskeCon Coming. Are You Going?
My closest connections to a ComicCon are what I’ve gleaned from episodes of the Big Bang Theory. Admittedly though, the idea seems intriguing. There’s an annual one in Muskegon called, appropriately, MuskeCon. Billed as the 4th annual Comic & Toy Convention, it will take place at the  Delta by Marriott in Downtown Muskegon and promises Toys, Comics, Art, Handmade Goods, Cosplay Galore, Panels, and Demos. Tickets are $5, 12 and under are free.
I’m thinking about going but my scheduling tends to be in constant flux. If any regular attendees out there or even a first timer is interested in doing a story for us with a few photos let us know.
I’d be interested in seeing how many people dress as The Flash (old BBT episode)

Django Rules!
If like me you happen to be a fan of the  Django Reinhardt style of jazz guitar you may want to slide over to Montague this Thursday night to see Djangophonique a quartet of musicians featuring guitarist Andrew Brown. They’re playing at The Book Nook, a truly fine book store that serves up tasty food to accompany their beer and wine selections. 7-9pm. Downtown Montague.
​Details: https://www.thebooknookjavashop.com/