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European Gypsy Moths
April 2004
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Female gypsy moth on an egg case
Photo: Ronald Kelley, Vermont Department of Forests,
Parks, and Recreation |
What is the European Gypsy Moth?
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Not native
to the U.S.
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Considered
an invasive species.
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Lack native predators (i.e., birds, parasitic wasps) and diseases (i.e.,
viruses, bacteria, and fungi)
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Populations can increase quickly.
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Caterpillars can eat the leaves of over 500 different species of
plants and trees.
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Isolated
pockets of gypsy moths have been detected in West coast states but so
far have been eradicated.
Life cycle:
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In late
April or May, gypsy moths hatch out of eggs usually laid the summer
before.
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Small
caterpillars emerge and begin to eat foliage.
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Move to
other trees by "ballooning"-- climbing to a high point, spinning long
silks, and then “ballooning” on the wind.
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They
continue to feed and grow until they spin a silk cradle and change
from a caterpillar into a moth.
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Seven to
14 days later they emerge as moths.
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They mate
and the female lays her eggs in mid-July to mid-August.
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The eggs
are enclosed in a hardy egg case and can survive severe weather
conditions.
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The life
cycle repeats the following spring.
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Next Page: Why are gypsy moths a
problem?
Return to European Gypsy Moth homepage.
For more information about the Pesticides Program, please contact
Cynthia López
or 360-236-3340.
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