In what year were Spongy Moths introduced to the U.S.?

The correct answer is 1869, which marks the year when Spongy Moths, formerly known as Gypsy Moths, were introduced to the United States. This introduction occurred when a French scientist, E. Leopold Trouvelot, brought them to Massachusetts in an attempt to establish a silk industry. Unfortunately, the moths escaped and subsequently became an invasive species, spreading rapidly across the northeastern U.S. and causing significant damage to forests and trees.

Choosing 1879 as the introduction year is incorrect, as it was ten years later than the actual event. The subsequent selections, 1800 and 1890, are also incorrect for the same reason, as they fall outside the timeframe of the initial introduction and would not align with the historical records of the Spongy Moth's spread and impact in the U.S.