ORGANIC AND SAFE
Forest Keepers is commited to using the safest, most environmentally responsable materials and methods to treat your insect and disease problems.
We can help you with your Gypsy moth control. Contact us if you would like to make an appointment with one of Forest Keepers certified arborists.
Known to defoliate entire forests, the Gypsy Moth has left many weakened trees in its wake. Eggs are laid in a mass in mid-July to mid-August. Larvae emerge in early to mid-May the following spring. Young larvae disperse on silk. Mature larvae feed during the night and descend at dawn to find a protected location in which to spend the day. Pupation is in June to mid-July. Young larvae cause shot hole damage in leaves. Mature larvae in severe infestations can totally strip the foliage from a wide variety of trees. Growth loss in healthy trees will be roughly proportional to the amount of defoliation above 50%. Healthy deciduous trees can enter into a period of decline following consecutive years of defoliation. The decline and death of unhealthy hardwood trees will be accelerated when they are defoliated for two or more years.
Adult male moths are dark brown with black markings. Females are larger than males, whitish in color with black markings. Newly hatched larvae are 3mm long and buff colored, but turn black very soon. Mature larvae can reach 50mm in length and can be easily recognized by the five pairs of blue spots toward the front and six pairs of red spots toward the rear on the upper side.
Egg masses may be monitored in the winter.
Larvae: Look for shot hole damage in May.
