According to Gard, vessels calling at ports in Eastern Asia and Russia Far East between May and October should be inspected and obtain a certification that they are free from Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC) prior to departure.
As explained, this will reduce the likelihood that they will face regulatory action when arriving in a country where this destructive forest pest is not native.
The risks
The Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC), including Lymantria dispar asiatica, Lymantria dispar japonica, Lymantria albescens, Lymantria umbrosa, Lymantria postalba, is a destructive forest pest known to spread via ocean-going vessels in international trade. At the time of writing, the pest has established populations only in countries in the Far East, such as Russia, China, Korea, and Japan.
Gard highlights that the FSMC flight season, when females lay their eggs and there is a risk of egg mass depositions onboard vessels, extends from May to October. However, the specified risk period (SPR) for each port varies depending on the port’s exact location and its climatic conditions. Because the moth’s egg masses can tolerate extremes in temperature and moisture, larvae can hatch months, if not years, after an egg mass was attached to a vessel.
Reduce your vessel’s risk of FSMC infestation
The implementation of proper routines for carrying out systematic self-inspections onboard the vessel while en route is a good way to avoid delays and re-routing during subsequent port calls.
Various authorities have published guides for conducting vessel self-inspections which are available to download. Examples are Canada’s Inspect Before Entry and New Zealand’s Don’t bring hitchhikers to New Zealand on your commercial vessel. The guides provide helpful instructions to vessel crews on what the egg masses look like, where they might be found onboard the vessels, and how the eggs should be removed and destroyed. In summary, the crew should:
- Carry out a thorough visual inspection of all accessible areas of the vessel’s superstructure, decks, holds, cargo and cargo gear. Use binoculars to inspect unreachable areas. Egg masses are often deposited in sheltered locations, in crevices or cavities, under tarps, behind doors, around light fixtures, and underneath the hold rims. As female FSMCs are attracted to light, female moths could lay their egg masses on surfaces of the vessel exposed to night lights.
- Scrape off any egg masses found and destroy them in alcohol, boiling water or by incineration. Do not paint over egg masses or drop egg masses into the sea as this will not kill the eggs or larvae.
- Record details of the inspections undertaken and the removal and disposal of FSMC egg masses in the vessel’s deck log-book.
