Adult females moths are off-white with a 2 inch wingspan, but they rarely fly. The male is a brown color and is smaller. Eggs are laid in white, globular masses. New buff-colored larvae become black with yellow lines on top. Pupae are brownish and teardrop shaped.
Adults emerge in June in the south and from July to August in Northern states. Females deposit eggs in bark crevices. Eggs hatch next spring, larvae feed on new leaves and then change into pupae. Adults emerge two weeks later.
Check out: http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/hort/ipm/gyps...
Host plants include 500 species of trees, especially oak.
Symptoms include defoliation of trees and droppings of black frass (caterpillar poop).
Predators, parasites, and pathogens include "wilt" disease that's naturally occuring. Entomophaga fungus from Japan has caused widespread gypsy moth death. About a dozen species of parasitic flies and wasps are known to prey on the early stages of the moth. Many birds, ground beetles, ants, spriders, shrews, and white footed mice eat larvae and pupae.
Other controls include Bt when larvae are young and oak leaves are halfway expanded, repeating 3-7 days later. Circle tree trunks with sticky bands. tie trunks with 1 ft wide strips of burlap or other material with a fold down flap. Larvae will hide there during the day. Collect and destroy in the afternoons. Search for and destroy egg masses and pupae. Vegetable oil sprays are effective.
 |
 |
Go To Page: 1
