GENERAL IDENTIFICATION

Without question, this is the most important insect defoliator of mixed hardwood forests in Eastern Canada and the NE United States. Over the past few years it has spread westwards as far as British Columbia and has now also been joined by an Asian variety of Gypsy Moth ( which was probably introduced via contaminated ocean vessels).

Although the insect has a strong preference for Oak, it is known that it can attack and feed on 300 different species of trees and shrubs as the population pressure increases and the choice of preferred food becomes less.

Annual emergence of the adult moth occurs in July/August, followed almost immediately by mating. The female moths are short-lived ( about 7 days ) and though they may be mated several times, will generally only lay one egg mass of 400-800 eggs on the bark of suitable trees or even rocks.

The smaller dark brown male moth usually emerges first. It is a strong flyer, and lives for several weeks. The larger female moth is recognisable by its light buff colour and is a very poor flyer, usually seen fluttering across the ground rather than flying. The eggs will over-winter and will hatch the following May into larvae. These larvae will feed voraciously on tree foliage until early July, when they pupate ( forming cocoons ) in which they undergo metamorphosis into adult moths several days later, thus completing the life cycle .

On completing this request form, you will receive a detailed monitoring guide providing you with information on trap placement, assessment of larval damage and how to record and act on the information that you get. This will take away much of the guesswork, help to prevent wasted treatment and keep you in control of the pest situation throughout the season.

PLEASE SEND ME A FREE MONITORING GUIDE.