Invasive Species Spotlight: Gypsy Moth

Gypsy Moths were brought into New Bedford, Massachusetts from Asia and Europe to the United States in 1868. They were originally intended to be used to increase disease resistance in hybridized silk spinning caterpillars. Eventually the Gypsy Moth escaped the industry and became established in natural areas. From there it has slowly spread throughout the northeastern states south to Virginia and west to the Great Lakes Region; it is beginning to establish itself in Illinois.

Figure 1. Gyspy moth larvae

Like many other insects the Gypsy Moth has four life stages. Eggs masses are laid in mid to late summer; they are beige and about ¾ of an inch in diameter. Larva emerges from the mass in the following spring (hatching generally occurs when most hardwood trees are starting to bud). Each larva can be from one to two inches long with hairs running down its entire body. They are grayish in color with five pairs of blue spots and six pairs of red spots on their body with yellow markings on their heads. They transform into the pupa stage in mid summer from which they emerge into the adults in midsummer. Male moths are light tan to dark brown with wavy bands and have a wingspan of about an inch. Females are almost all white with faint darker wavy bands on the forewings and have a wingspan up to two inches. Female gypsy moths do not fly and will typically lay their eggs near areas where they were feeding (including picnic tables, firewood, grills, and even cars). When these items are moved, these “hitchhikers” move with them!

Figure 2. Gypsy moth adults

Gypsy moth larvae are known as severe tree defoliators and can be a tremendous problem for forest land owners and managers. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are their preferred meal but they will feed on over 500 shrubs and trees. If populations are relative small, 1 egg mass per hectare (~2.47 acres), a few trees can become infested but damage can be limited. When large populations build up, 1000 egg masses per hectare, the damage can become quite extensive. This could lead to entire forests being stripped of their foliage. Healthy trees can usually withstand the loss of one flush of leaves but if it happens continuously throughout the year in consecutive years it will almost mean certain failure; especially when coupled with other insect, disease, and environmental conditions.

Figure 3. Forest defoliation

Illinois participates in the Spread the Spread program. STS is one of the largest monitoring and action programs in the nation targeting the Gypsy moth. Largely funded and managed by the USDA, this program monitors populations by employing pheromone traps to detect the spread of the insects to notify interested parties and establish action plans. Scientists have begun to capitalize natural enemies of the Gypsy Moth as a way to help keep there populations under control. Several of these natural enemies include bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), viruses Gypchek, and predatory insects such as parasitic wasps.

Photos courtesy of www.invasive.org