I’m usually distressed when I see these signs because of the negative impact on native moths and butterflies (and others) in a couple of my favorite parks (Ringwood State Park, Long Pond Ironworks and several others in northern New Jersey). But that’s an argument for another thread… I posted this b…

I’m not a huge fan of using the word “Gypsy” in anything since it is used as a slur word when describing the Romani people. “Spongy Moth” is a better name by far.

Who you need to call is right there on the notice. Using BOTH names would be helpful for more people to recognize the name change. Perhaps a friendly word of advice would be welcome.

You can’t force the change of a common name unfortunately. I don’t like some common names too, such as the “Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil” as it’s not an immigrant everywhere and is native in some places, but the common name is here to stay the moment they become a “common name”. I think it really do…

We had a previous conversation about offensive common names and what we think should be done about them here: https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/managing-offensive-common-names/12358 [image] Jarronevsbaru: I think the only people who really have a right to be offended by this moths common name are…

Nobody is dictating, but it seems clear to me that if anyone’s opinion on a word should carry the most weight, it’s the community that the word refers to. I would never presume to stand in front of Romani or gypsy people and tell them that I’m offended by the word “gypsy,” and that it should be eras…

Maybe if Spongy Moth wasn’t such a lousy name it would’ve caught on by now.

[image] Jarronevsbaru: Removing it from accepted usage (particularly in something as visible as species names) seems almost like erasing representation. Given that the species in question is invasive, causes significant damage to trees, and is the subject of eradication efforts, it doesn’t se…

It’s not invasive everywhere though. Didn’t the common name exist before it became invasive in many other countries?

It takes years for knowledge of the name and presence of an invasive species to catch on with the general public. My impression is that people around me vaguely know about the old name and might be able to identify them accurately. For better or for worse, changing the name kind of means starting th…

Someone didn't get the memo - common names for Lymantria dispar dispar

Nature Talk

thomaseverest May 28, 2025, 12:21pm 3

Gypsy moth was used for decades. I worked for someone who was on the committee that changed the name, and she still would accidentally say gypsy moth all the time.

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Someone didn't get the memo - common names for Lymantria dispar dispar

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