Asian Gypsy Moth

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Asian Gypsy Moth
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Asian Gypsy MothWhy is it a problem?

• Wide host range (500 species of trees and shrubs)
  
• Larch, oak, poplar, alder, willow and some
  conifers including hemlock, pine, spruce and
  southern white cedar
• All of the damage caused by Asian Gypsy Moth
  (AGM) is caused during the caterpillar stage.
• If became established could cause defoliation of
  millions of acres of trees causing a huge
  economic impact. Additionally, large amounts of
  caterpillar frass, destroyed leaves and dead
  moths would be a nuisance to homes, yards and
  parks.

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Asian Gypsy MothLymantria dispar

• Native to Asia
• Transported to N.A. by ships from Russia and
  Germany
• First identified in British Columbia in 1991
• Not established in the U.S.
• but has been detected and
• eradicated from CA, OR,
• ID, TX and WA.

Photo Ferenc Lakatos, University of West-Hungary,
www.ipmimages.org
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Comparing Gypsy Moth Pests

• European Gypsy Moth (EGM) was intentionally
  introduced in the U.S. in 1869 and is now
  established in northeastern U.S. and southeastern
  Canada.
• AGM like EGM prefers forest habitats and both
  cause defoliation and deterioration of trees and
  shrubs.
• AGM has a broader host range than EGM.
• AGM adult females are active fliers where EGM
  adult females are flightless. Greater ability to
  disperse.

Asian Gypsy Moth on left and European Gypsy Moth
on right. Photo USDA-APHIS-PPQ, www.ipmimages.org
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Asian Gypsy Moth What does it look like?
Male
Larva or caterpillar
Female
Photos clockwise AGM larva, Ferenc Lakatos,
University of West-Hungary, AGM Adult Male, John
Gent, USDA Forest Service, AGM Adult Female, John
Gent, USDA Forest Service, www.ipmimages.org
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Asian Gypsy MothWhat does the damage look like?
Photos left to right Damage from AGM larva
feeding, Defoliation from AGM larvae feedilng,
Ferenc Lakatos, University of West-Hungary,
www.ipmimages.org
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Asian Gypsy Mothlife Cycle

• Four Stages Egg ? Larva (caterpillar) ? Pupae
  (cocoon) ? and Moth

AGM egg masses may be found on trees, stones,
walls, logs and lawn furniture and other outdoor
objects. Each 1 ½ inch egg mass contains 100
eggs. The mass is covered with a buff or
yellowish fuzz which comes from the abdomen of
the female.
Photos left to right Damage from AGM larva
feeding, Ferenc Lakatos, University of
West-Hungary, Egg mass, John H. Gent, USDA Forest
Service, www.ipmimages.org
AGM eggs begin hatching into caterpillars in the
spring. All of the damage caused by the AGM is
done during this stage.
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Asian Gypsy Mothlife Cycle
AGM caterpillars stop feeding when they enter the
pupal or cocoon stage. This begins in late June
or July.
Photo USDA-APHIS-PPQ, www.ipmimages.org
Adults emarge from the cocoons in 10 to 14 days.
AGM does not feed in the moth stage but only mate
and lay eggs. Eggs are laid between July and
September. The eggs remain dormant during the
winter and hatch in the spring.
Photo Ferenc Lakatos, University of West-Hungary,
www.ipmimages.org
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Asian Gypsy MothStatus and Control?

• Considered a pest of regulatory concern.
• Control should be simple if timing is perfect
• Bt is labeled and effective