Gypsy Moth

Where did the Gypsy Moth originate?

The gypsy moth is one of the most destructive invasive forest pests introduced to the United States.  Originated in Europe and Asia it was accidentally introduced in New England in the late 1860’s.  The destructive stage of the pest is the defoliating larvae, which can completely strip the leaves from large areas of forest if populations are dense.  Today the gypsy moth is established south to West Virginia and Virginia, west to Wisconsin, and north into southern Canada.  

How does the Gypsy Moth impact our forests?

The gypsy moth’s preferred host species are oak and aspen. Oak is a very critical component of the hardwood forests of the eastern United States, not to mention its importance to the timber industry.   Mortality is very evident in forests heavily hit by the pest, particularly where mass defoliation has occurred for consecutive years.  The stress caused by defoliation considerably weakens a tree over time and opens it up to attack by other forest pests and disease. 

What does the Gypsy Moth look like?

The gypsy moth is detected and surveyed by the presence of its buff colored egg masses, the life stage by which the pest overwinters.   In the spring the eggs hatch into dark, hairy, defoliating larvae that grow larger through a series of molts and develop pairs of raised blue and red spots as they approach maturity in mid-summer.  The larvae then go into their pupae stage, followed by emergence into adult moths.   Female moths are white in color and flightless, while the light brown male moth flies sporadically in search of a female.  Eggs masses are laid by the female moths and the cycle continues.

How do I know if treatment is needed on my property?

One of the most important factors in managing for the gypsy moth is early detection.  Gypsy moths often exist in small numbers and don’t show major impact until conditions are correct and populations explode.  Precision Forestry Protection offers consulting services to help you understand how serious a threat gypsy moth is to your property.  
PFP will conduct egg mass surveys throughout your property to determine the severity of infestation and recommend if treatment is necessary.   If the pest is detected early on, PFP can better treat your property to help preserve your investments and aesthetic value by protecting your foliage.

Can PFP help protect my trees?

Precision Forestry Protection will treat for the gypsy moth via aircraft.  The type of material used to reduce the pest’s population varies, from environmentally friendly organic compounds to traditional pesticides depending on the needs and desires of the landowner.  For example, PFP gives the customer the option of using Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk), a certified organic material.  Precision Forestry Protection will work closely with the landowner to generate an accurate map of the desired treatment area.   In the spring, the treatment boundaries are digitized and uploaded onto the spray aircraft to ensure accurate application.  Our aircraft and treatment application equipment are state of the art, along with reliable onboard GPS operating systems that control the spray flow.   Our experienced pilots are rated for aerial application in mountainous terrain, where the majority of gypsy moth infestations occur.  Please call Precision Forestry Protection with any questions at 304-641-7373 and let our qualified team help you protect your trees.