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Gypsy Moths
A Reoccurring
Problem in Pike
County
Mature gypsy moth
caterpillar -
approximately 2
inches long
Gypsy Moths are an
invasive pest.
While always present
in the area, sudden
increases in the
population wreck
havoc on the trees
that grow in the
forests and our
neighborhoods.
The caterpillars of
the gypsy moth are
voracious eaters of
tree leaves.
They are
particularly partial
to oaks but have no
qualms eating
maples, birches,
fruit trees,
ornamentals and even
occasionally pines.
The gypsy moth
begins life as an
egg that is laid in
a mass which
typically contains
over 500 eggs.
The egg masses,
while usually
located on trees,
may often be found
on rocks, logs,
houses, outdoor
furniture and just
about anything
outdoors. The
egg mass is
protected in a
sticky tan "silk".
The eggs winter over
and in the spring
emerge as tiny hairy
caterpillars.
They climb up a tree
and lower themselves
on a silk thread.
Wind causes the
thread to break free
of the tree and the
caterpillar uses the
thread to sail into
new territory.
Click Here for Gypsy
Moth Identification
Guide
The tiny 1/2 inch
long caterpillars
then climb up a host
tree. They
strip the tree of
its leaves both by
consuming the leaf
and by allowing
portions of the leaf
to fall to the
ground. They
may strip the tree
to the point where
the tree's health
and growth are
severely impacted.
During times of high
gypsy moth
populations,
thousands of acres
of trees may be
killed or severely
weakened.
The caterpillars
grow up to about 2.5
inches long.
When they reach
maturity the
caterpillars climb
down the trees, find
a sheltered area
under rocks, logs,
in gaps of a tree's
bark, or anything
else that they may
find outdoors.
They spin a hard
shell cocoon and
develop into the
adult life cycle,
The male adults
usually emerge first
and flutter around
seeking mates.
The flightless
females leave their
cocoon shell and
proceed to climb -
often several feet,
but sometimes only a
few inches.
Upon mating, the
female moth lays a
mass of eggs and the
lifecycle begins
anew.
During times of
large infestations,
the state will
conduct aerial
spraying of a strain
of Bt, a
natural bacterium
that is lethal to
gypsy moths but
non-lethal to most
other species.
(Some private
landowners may
employ aerial
sprayers that use
insecticides.
This is discouraged
due to the harmful
effects to birds and
other species. )
The aerial spraying
is usually conducted
on the areas with
the most severe
damage and in
residential areas.
State forests and
gamelands are often
not sprayed.
This allows for
natural predators to
feed on the
caterpillars in
order to allow the
predator populations
to increase and help
bring the gypsy
moths under control.
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