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Logo of Canadian Food Inspection Agency Logo of the United States Department of Agriculture

Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC)

(Lymantria dispar asiatica, L. d. japonica, L. albescens, L. postalba, and L. umbrosa)

 February 2024

Due to population outbreaks, North American ports periodically experience a high number of 

vessels arriving with FSMC egg masses. Data from previous years indicate that populations could 

potentially reach outbreak levels in 2024. In addition to obtaining FSMC certification, extra 

vigilance in conducting self-inspection is requested to prevent a high number of vessels with 

egg masses arriving in 2024.

FSMC is a serious pest that can be carried on ships and cargo. FSMC populations are prevalent 

in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea, and Northern China. If introduced to North 

America, FSMC would have significant negative impacts on our forestry and agriculture, the natural 

environment, the commerce that relies on those plant resources, and market access.

Vessels must arrive in North American ports free of FSMC and should have obtained

pre-departure certification. It is vital that the maritime industry and authorities in the United 

States (U.S.) and Canada collaborate on measures to minimize the risk of FSMC incursion. 

FSMC risk mitigation and exclusion efforts are a joint effort and a high priority. 

Both countries are committed to working with industry partners on measures to reduce

FSMC risk at origin. The shipping industry’s role in promoting and meeting FSMC requirements 

has been vital to preventing the introduction of FSMC to North America and maintaining

shipping schedules. When vessels arrive without FSMC certification, or when FSMC is detected, 

significant delays in cargo loading or discharging activities as well as in routine clearance can

occur, resulting in loss of revenue to the shipping line and associated parties. 

The common name “Asian gypsy moth” has been changed as the term “gypsy” has been 

deemed derogatory. This group of moths are now referred to as the flighted spongy moth complex 

(FSMC). However, updates to websites, policies, forms, certificates, educational material etc., to 

reflect the new common name, are anticipated to take some time and may vary from country to 

country. Therefore, reference to AGM and Asian gypsy moth may continue to be seen during this 

time of transition and certificates using these names will continue to be considered valid if they have 

been issued by a recognized certification body.

Actions. For vessels that have called on areas regulated for FSMC during the specified risk 

periods, as outlined in Table 1, the following measures are required:

1. Vessels should be inspected and certificated free of FSMC by a recognized certification 

body. A copy of the certificate, stating that the vessel is free of FSMC life stages, should

be forwarded to the vessel’s U.S or Canadian agents. A certificate is valid until the ship 

calls on another port in a regulated area during the specific risk period.

2. Vessels must arrive in North American ports free from FSMC. To avoid facing rerouting, being ordered out of port for cleaning and other potential impacts associated with

mitigating the risk of entry of FSMC to North America, crews should perform intensive

vessel self-inspections to look for, remove (scrape off) and properly dispose of or destroy

all egg masses and other life stages of FSMC prior to entering U.S. and Canadian ports.

3. Vessels must provide two-year port of call data, at least 96 hours prior to arrival in a 

North American port, to the vessel’s Canadian or U.S. agent. The agent is to ensure 

that this information is provided to U.S. or Canadian officials.
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Table 1. Regulated Areas and Specified Risk Periods

Country Port or Prefecture Specified Risk Period

Russian Far East

Nakhodka, Ol'ga, Plastun, 

Pos'yet, Russkiy Island, 

Slavyanka, Vanino, Vladivostok,

Vostochny, Zarubino, Kozmino

June 15 to October 15

People's Republic of China

All ports in northern China, 

including all ports on or north of 

31°15 ́

June 1 to September 30

Republic of Korea All ports June 1 to September 30

Japan – Northern 

Akita, Aomori, Fukushima,

Hokkaido, Iwate, Miyagi, 

Yamagata

June 15 to October 15

Japan – Central

Aichi, Chiba, Fukui, Ibaraki,

Ishikawa, Kanagawa, Mie, 

Niigata, Shizuoka, Tokyo, 

Toyama

June 1 to September 30

Japan – Southern

Ehime, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hyogo,

Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kochi, 

Kumamoto, Kyoto, Miyazaki,

Nagasaki, Oita, Okayama, Osaka,

Saga, Shimane, Tokushima, Tottori, 

Wakayama, Yamaguchi

May 15 to August 31

Japan – Far Southern Okinawa May 25 to June 30

*Specified risk period is the time period when there is a risk of FSMC flight and egg mass deposition

We also remind vessel operators to ensure that the vessels are in good repair and decks are clear 

of debris and unnecessary obstacles in order to allow for thorough inspection both in FSMC

regulated areas and upon arrival in North America. While in regulated ports during moth flight 

periods and where port operations and safety allow, reducing lighting and keeping exterior doors 

and curtains closed may reduce the number of moths being attracted to the vessel. Arranging 

for inspection and certification services as far in advance as possible and providing twoyear port of call history at the time of that request allows the inspection and certification 

body to better plan for delivery of the service in a timely manner.

Upon arrival in North America there have been FSMC detections on vessels that obtained 

pre-departure certification. During the flight period inspection should be conducted and 

certification issued as close to departure as possible — ideally during daylight hours and on the 

same day as departure. Where vessel departure is delayed post certification, there is the 

possibility that moths re-infest the vessel and deposit egg masses.

Although we try to align the requirements for FSMC pre-departure certification and vessels 

arriving free from all FSMC life forms (egg masses, pupae, adults) between the U.S. and Canada, 

there are differences in port-of-entry processes between the two countries due to sovereign 

regulations and policies. Please contact local inspection authorities in the port-of-entry if you 

have any questions regarding FSMC import requirements or clearance procedures.

It is the responsibility of the shipping lines to meet all requirements for entry to the U.S. and

Canada, including freedom from FSMC and other pest concerns. We strongly urge maritime 

interests to take all possible precautions. For further information on the FSMC program, please 

visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and/or Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s

websites.