Gypsy Moth
Caterpillar
Moth
The gypsy moth is the most infamous tree & shrub insect. Infestations, in the early 1980s, defoliated whole sections of forest in the northeast. The mere mention of gypsy moth presence, on a client’s property, often still brings about a state of panic!
The caterpillar (larval) stage does all of the damage. It feeds primarily on oak trees, but will also feed on maple, birch and other deciduous trees.
It feeds on the foliage, often in large numbers. It spreads from tree to tree by “ballooning.” It drops down on a line of silk and gets blown by the wind to other trees.
It’s a very colorful caterpillar, but turns into a rather dull moth. The moth lays eggs on the bark of trees.
Although the outbreaks are not as severe as they were in the past, heavy infestations can still strip large trees bare. Repeated infestations can kill large trees in a few years.
