gypsy moth larva
The gypsy moth is native to Europe and Asia but has become a major pest of hardwood forests in the eastern United States.
Natural spread first brought gypsy moths to northern Virginia around 1980 and populations now cover approximately two thirds of the state.
Biology
What do they look like? What trees will they eat? When are they active? Find out about the gypsy moth's daily life.
Gypsy moth is an outbreak pest. Population levels can remain low for several years before causing major problems. The last major outbreak was in 2001, when over 440,000 acres were defoliated in Virginia.
Management
There are several things homeowers can do to protect their trees and minimize the chance of spreading moths to new areas.
burlap banding
What's Happening Now?
egg masses and pupal skins
Andy Roberts, Virginia Tech
By late summer adult moths have mated and females have laid egg masses. In the woods, you typically will find no living life stages but may find cast skins from pupae and larvae. Where populations have crashed from disease, you may find dead caterpillars hanging from trees.