T
he European gypsy moth
(Lymantria dispar) is an exotic,
invasive forest pest not currently
found in Nebraska. This pest was
first introduced into the United States
in Massachusetts in 1869, and it has
since spread to
include most of
the northeastern
U.S., west into
Wisconsin and
Minnesota, and
south to Virginia.
Gypsy moths
overwinter in
the egg stage;
egg masses are
light tan and may
contain up to 600
eggs. Egg masses
are usually
deposited on tree
bark, but can
also be found on items such as vehicles
and outdoor furniture. Eggs hatch in
early spring and the hungry caterpillars
begin to feed. Gypsy moth caterpillars
are hairy and have a distinct series of
five pairs of blue dots followed by six
pairs of red dots on their backs. The
caterpillars go through several instars
before pupating in early summer,
with adults emerging in early- to mid-
summer.
The adult male gypsy moth is
brownish-gray, with black markings
and feathery antennae. The adult
female is white with black markings
and larger than the male. While males
are good fliers, females do not fly.
Gypsy moth caterpillars feed on
numerous plants, including oaks,
birch, hawthorn, linden, willow,
plums, pine, spruce and even cedar.
Defoliation stresses the tree, and
repeated infestations make the plants
more susceptible to secondary attack
by other insects and diseases.
The Nebraska Department of
Agriculture Entomology Program
conducts surveys for gypsy moth each
year, setting several hundred delta traps
across the state. Traps are set by late
June, and remain out until September.
High-risk sites for introduction include
nurseries, campgrounds and rest stops,
and major travel routes.
In addition to trapping, the Nebraska
Department of Agriculture staff also
inspects regulated articles such as
nursery stock, firewood and Christmas
trees for evidence of gypsy moth
infestations and to ensure compliance
with the federal gypsy moth
quarantine.
■
If you suspect you've found a gypsy
moth caterpillar or adult in Nebraska,
take photos or collect a specimen. Then
contact the Nebraska Department of
Agriculture at 402-471-2351 or
agr.plant@nebraska.gov to report the
possible sighting.
By Julie Van Meter
State Entomologist,
Nebraska
Department
of Agriculture
Gypsy Moth Egg
Masses.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KARLA
SALP, WASHINGTON STATE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
BUGWOOD.ORG
Presented by
MAY 2018 • NEBRASKAland 17
Bug Banter
Gypsy Moth Caterpillar.
PHOTO COURTESY OF USDA APHIS PPQ ,
USDA APHIS PPQ, BUGWOOD.ORG.
