Call 631-499-4300 for free property evaluation
Gypsy moth undergoes four developmental life stages; these are the
egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. Gypsy moth females lay
between 500 to 1,000 eggs in sheltered areas such as underneath the bark
of trees. The eggs are covered with a dense mass of tan or buff-colored
hairs. The egg mass is approximately 1.5 inches long and 0.75 inches
wide. The eggs are the overwintering stage of the insect. Eggs are
attached to trees, houses, or any outdoor objects. The eggs hatch in
spring (April) into caterpillars.
Caterpillar (Larval Stage)
Gypsy moth caterpillars are easy to identify, because they possess
characteristics not found on other leaf-feeding caterpillars. They have
five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots lining the
back. In addition, they are dark-colored and covered with hairs. Young
caterpillars primarily feed during the day whereas the older
caterpillars feed at night. When present in large numbers, the older
caterpillars feed day and night. Young caterpillars spread to new
locations by crawling to the tops of trees, where they spin a silken
thread and are caught on wind currents. Older caterpillars are
approximately 1.5 to 2.0 inches long. Gypsy moth caterpillars do not
produce a web, which distinguishes it from web-making caterpillars such
as the Eastern tent caterpillar,
Malacosoma americanum and the fall webworm,
Hyphantria cunea. The Gypsy moth larval stage lasts approximately seven weeks.
Male Moth
Female Moth
In early summer (June to early July), Gypsy moth caterpillars enter a
pupal or transitional stage. The pupae are dark brown, shell-like cases
approximately two inches long and covered with hairs. They are
primarily located in sheltered areas such as tree bark crevices or leaf
litter. Adult Gypsy moths emerge from the pupae in 10 to 14 days. They
are present from July into August. Females have white to cream-colored
wings, a tan body, and a two-inch wingspan. Female Gypsy moths cannot
fly. Males, which are smaller than females, with a 1.5-inch wingspan,
are dark-brown and have feathery antennae. Both the adult female and
male can be identified by the inverted V-shape that points to a dot on
the wings.
Gypsy moth has only one generation per year. Gypsy moth populations
will go through cycles in which the populations will increase for
several years then decline, and then increase again. Area-wide outbreaks
can occur for up to ten years, but generally population densities in
localized areas remain high for two to three years.
Here at Alternative Earthcare Tree and Lawn Systems we specialize in the control and elimination of The Gypsy Moth Caterpillar.
http://www.alternativeearthcare.com/insect-control/tree-spraying/
Call 631-499-4300 for free property evaluation
Gypsy moth undergoes four developmental life stages; these are the
egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. Gypsy moth females lay
between 500 to 1,000 eggs in sheltered areas such as underneath the bark
of trees. The eggs are covered with a dense mass of tan or buff-colored
hairs. The egg mass is approximately 1.5 inches long and 0.75 inches
wide. The eggs are the overwintering stage of the insect. Eggs are
attached to trees, houses, or any outdoor objects. The eggs hatch in
spring (April) into caterpillars.
Caterpillar (Larval Stage)
Gypsy moth caterpillars are easy to identify, because they possess
characteristics not found on other leaf-feeding caterpillars. They have
five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots lining the
back. In addition, they are dark-colored and covered with hairs. Young
caterpillars primarily feed during the day whereas the older
caterpillars feed at night. When present in large numbers, the older
caterpillars feed day and night. Young caterpillars spread to new
locations by crawling to the tops of trees, where they spin a silken
thread and are caught on wind currents. Older caterpillars are
approximately 1.5 to 2.0 inches long. Gypsy moth caterpillars do not
produce a web, which distinguishes it from web-making caterpillars such
as the Eastern tent caterpillar,
Malacosoma americanum and the fall webworm,
Hyphantria cunea. The Gypsy moth larval stage lasts approximately seven weeks.
Male Moth
Female Moth
In early summer (June to early July), Gypsy moth caterpillars enter a
pupal or transitional stage. The pupae are dark brown, shell-like cases
approximately two inches long and covered with hairs. They are
primarily located in sheltered areas such as tree bark crevices or leaf
litter. Adult Gypsy moths emerge from the pupae in 10 to 14 days. They
are present from July into August. Females have white to cream-colored
wings, a tan body, and a two-inch wingspan. Female Gypsy moths cannot
fly. Males, which are smaller than females, with a 1.5-inch wingspan,
are dark-brown and have feathery antennae. Both the adult female and
male can be identified by the inverted V-shape that points to a dot on
the wings.
Gypsy moth has only one generation per year. Gypsy moth populations
will go through cycles in which the populations will increase for
several years then decline, and then increase again. Area-wide outbreaks
can occur for up to ten years, but generally population densities in
localized areas remain high for two to three years.
Here at Alternative Earthcare Tree and Lawn Systems we specialize in the control and elimination of The Gypsy Moth Caterpillar.
http://www.alternativeearthcare.com/insect-control/tree-spraying/
If you need help with such an infestation on your property please call us for help.
Alternative Earthcare Tree and Lawn Systems
631-499-4300