The spread of the moths as an invasive species has resulted in the destruction of millions of hardwood trees throughout the eastern United States.

One states that despite issuing oral and written warnings of possible consequences, no officials were willing to assist in searching out and destroying the moths.

When Joseph Winlock, the director of Harvard College Observatory, saw the quality of his illustrations, he invited Trouvelot to join the staff there in 1872.

By 1882, Trouvelot had returned to France and joined the Meudon Observatory where he worked with photography and became engaged in a bitter rivalry with his boss, the astronomer Jules Janssen.

[7] This was a few years before the magnitude of the problem caused by his spongy moth release became apparent to the local government of Massachusetts.

To this date, the spongy moth continues to expand its range in the United States, and together with other foliage-eating pests, cause an estimated $868 million in annual damages.