Gypsy moths

What are they?

Gypsy moths are destructive pests. They get their name from their ability to travel by attaching to various objects. They appear in late July or August. Males are greyish brown and can fly and survive about one week, mating with several different females. Females are larger and whitish with darker zigzag marks. The female cannot fly and dies shortly after laying her eggs.

Gypsy moth caterpillars (larvae) change looks as they grow. Young caterpillars are black or brown and about .6 cm (.24 inches) in length. As they grow, bumps develop along their backs with coarse black hairs. The caterpillar is easily recognizable in the later part of this stage: charcoal grey with a double row of five blue and six red dots on its back. Feeding ends by early July, and mature caterpillars can be as long as 6.35 cm (2.5 inches).

Should I be concerned?

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Gypsy moths are a concern because the larvae feed voraciously, mostly on the leaves of deciduous (leafy) trees, but also on some conifers (evergreens). During the larval stage, a single gypsy moth caterpillar can eat an average of one square metre of leaves.

Did you know?

The gypsy moth is found mainly in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces. These moths were accidentally introduced into Massachusetts in 1869 by a French naturalist trying to cross the European gypsy moth with North American silkworms. The French naturalist was trying to create a silk industry on this continent. Some of the insects escaped, and have since established themselves in Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada.

The Asian gypsy moth, first found in the Vancouver area in the spring of 1991, was unknowingly brought into Canada on Soviet freighters.

Leaves play a major role in food production for trees, converting light into food by photosynthesis. Reducing the leaf surface available to capture sunlight causes a loss in food production. Deciduous trees can sometimes produce a second crop of leaves, but after repeated defoliation, trees may die or become so weakened that they are vulnerable to secondary infestations. Evergreens may die after only one defoliation.

The gypsy moth has been found on approximately 500 species of trees. They prefer broad-leaved trees, mainly red and white oak, poplar, and white birch. The destruction of oaks affects forest wildlife, especially deer that depend on oak acorns for part of their diet. The acorns provide nutrition needed to survive harsh winter conditions.

The discovery of the Asian gypsy moth strain in Canada has raised new concerns. The Asian gypsy moth prefers coniferous trees, is better adapted to colder climates, and the female is able to fly. These traits make the Asian gypsy moth a serious threat to Canadian forests.

How do I know if I have a problem?

The gypsy moth hibernates in egg masses that are covered with tan or buff-coloured hairs, and may be found on tree trunks or bark, outdoor furniture, or the sides of buildings.

The egg masses are about the size of a loonie, and may contain from 100 to 1,000 eggs. You can tell how bad the infestation is by the size of the egg mass. When populations are on the decline, egg masses tend to be smaller, about the size of a dime. Larger egg masses are a sign of stable or growing populations.

The eggs hatch into caterpillars when tree buds begin to open. This stage, lasting up to seven weeks, is when the insect feeds, so it is important to control gypsy moth infestations early in the growing season.

How can I get rid of gypsy moths?

Egg masses

Gypsy moths spread easily, as the young larvae can be carried by wind currents for a distance of up to one kilometre. More commonly, however, they hitch a ride (mainly egg masses) on objects like vehicles, tents, trailers, and lawn chairs to infest new areas. Vacationers, especially campers, should be aware of this and should check their equipment before moving on.

It is important to be thorough when looking for egg masses as they can be difficult to locate. Common hiding places include:

  • the underside of branches
  • tree trunks
  • fences
  • firewood
  • outdoor furniture
  • swing sets, boats
  • trailers
  • under the eaves of buildings

When an egg mass is found, it should be scraped off with a knife and dropped into a bucket filled with hot water and household bleach or ammonia. Remove picnic tables, swing sets, and lawn furniture from around the bases of trees, because these objects provide the insects with protection from the heat of the sun.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars and pupae can be handpicked and crushed. The long hairs of the caterpillar can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. To be safe, wear gloves when handling them.

Caterpillars can be successfully trapped. To make a trap, wrap a 45-cm (roughly 17-inch) wide strip of burlap around the tree trunk at chest height. Tie a string around the centre of the burlap and fold the upper portion down to form a skirt, with the string acting as a belt. The caterpillars will crawl under the burlap to escape the sun and become trapped. Later in the day, lift the burlap. Pick off the caterpillars and dispose of them.

Biological control

  • Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) is a selective biological insecticide that controls caterpillars. Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki crystals release a toxic protein when dissolved in the alkaline digestive system of the insect. The caterpillar stops feeding soon after, and dies within five days. Other insects, mammals, birds, and fish are not affected by Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki.
  • The small wasp (Encyrtidae family), introduced in eastern North America in 1909 as a parasite of the gypsy moth egg, is now commonly found throughout the area and has become an important biological control of the gypsy moth.

Products

Important!

If you use a pesticide to control your pest problem, read the label to make sure you are choosing the right product for the right pest. Follow all label directions and warnings carefully. Always look for a Pest Control Products (PCP) number on the label so you know the product has been approved by Health Canada. See Use pesticides safely for more information on using pesticides safely

 

Did you know?

Some provinces and municipalities have placed more restrictions on the use of certain approved lawn and garden pesticides. Please check with your city, province, or local lawn care centre for more information.

  • Dormant oil combined with lime sulphur applied to the tree in late winter will smother the eggs before they hatch. Dormant oils are thick oils used mainly on fruit trees to control hibernating eggs, mites, scales, and other insects.
  • Traditional insecticides are registered in Canada to control gypsy moth larvae. These are contact insecticides, which are more effective on early stage larvae, and best applied at night when the caterpillars are feeding.

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