Forestry - Gypsy Moths

Important News! Gypsy Moth Information

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) has made its way into the City of Stevens Point. It has been found here before , but not in large enough numbers to be a problem. This year an isolated “hot spot” of gypsy moth was found. It was mainly contained to the area highlighted in blue in the map to the left. The insect is an aggressive feeder in the caterpillar stage. It will feed on nearly 500 different kinds of trees and shrubs, and can defoliate them quickly.
Gypsy Moth Hot Spot in Stevens Point
Map Courtesy of Mapblast!

Gypsy Moth Egg Masses and Caterpillars
In early May the gypsy moth caterpillars emerge from their egg masses (left) and begin feeding on the leaves of trees. Their preferred tree is oak. As the caterpillar gets larger, so does its’ appetite.

By June the caterpillars can be a real nuisance, just by their shear numbers (right), as well as by the hairs they possess which can cause a rash to many humans when touched. Gypsy Moth Caterpillars

The caterpillars feed until late June to early July. This is when the defoliation from their feeding becomes very apparent - the trees will be stripped of all their leaves.

From late June to late July the gypsy moth spends its life in a pupae stage, which is similar to a cocoon. From this emerges the adult moth, and they live until about September.

Gypsy Moth Laying Eggs It is during this time, from August to September, that the female moth lays her eggs in masses (left).

She will deposit her eggs anywhere and everywhere; in firewood piles; under campers, trailers, cars; in cracks of trees (right); etc. Each egg mass can contain between 600-1000 eggs.

From September until May, the gypsy moth remains in the egg stage. Gypsy Moth Egg Masses in Crack of Tree

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

In areas where gypsy moth is known to exist, it is important to inspect outdoor materials for gypsy moth life stages, this is especially true when you are transporting items from one area to another. Be familiar with what the caterpillars look like (see above), and be familiar with what the egg masses look like (see above). If you’re hauling firewood to your family cottage and you find gypsy moth caterpillars on the wood, crush them, spray them, but do not transport them to a new area.

Spraying Egg Mass with Golden Pest Spray Oil If you find Gypsy moth egg masses, you can spray the eggs with a soy bean oil product call Golden Pest Spray Oil (left), or scrape the eggs into a microwaveable bag, “nuke” them for one minute, and then discard them. Simply scraping the eggs off and trying to crush them with your foot doesn’t work.

Once the caterpillars hatch, there are a number of things you can do. When they first hatch in May, you can put a piece of duct tape around the infested tree at chest height, and then spread "Tanglefoot" onto the tape. The young caterpillars will get stuck in this as they move up and down the tree.

Or, you can try putting up burlap bands (right). Cut a strip of burlap 12-18 inches wide and wrap it around the infested tree at chest height. Then tie a string around the tree on top of the burlap with six inches of burlap overhanging the rope. Many caterpillars will seek cover under the burlap during the afternoon. Once a day, you can check the burlap bands and dispose of the caterpillars found inside. You can crush them, or brush them into a bucket of soapy water. Once the caterpillars are dead, drain the water and throw them in the trash. Burlap Caterpillar Trap

Spray Caterpillars with Insecticide The caterpillars can be sprayed with insecticide (left). Make sure the insecticide is labeled for controlling Gypsy moth caterpillars. There are some insecticides that are more caterpillar specific than others, and will not harm other beneficial insects. Choose your insecticide wisely, and always follow the label.

WHAT IS THE CITY OF STEVENS POINT DOING TO CONTROL THIS PEST?

The City of Stevens Point Forestry Department is doing a number of things to control the gypsy Moth. First we have been carefully watching the spread of the gypsy moth as it has progressed toward our city. We have been in contact with the people in charge of controlling the Gypsy moth at the state level, the DNR and the Dept. of Agriculture. We have also been in contact with other municipalities that have already been impacted by this pest.

The main thrust of the Citys’ efforts so far have been in regards to informing the public of the insect. All landowners in the above highlighted map were sent an informative letter with a handout on the gypsy moth earlier this year. The local newspapers have been very helpful by covering this story. This is the second story on the City website on the gypsy moth. We have discussed this problem with many area tree care companies.

When the egg masses were discovered on City of Stevens Point land, Forestry dept. personnel sprayed the egg masses with Golden Pest Spray Oil. The City also helped a landowner coordinate a ground spray of egg masses early this spring with volunteer help from the University and Technical College.

There is a fungus disease (Entomophaga maimaiga) and a virus disease (NPV) that are specific to infecting Gypsy moth caterpillars. Neither disease was apparent in the infestation here in the City. The City obtained caterpillars killed by these diseases in Columbia County and spread them on City-owned land and privately-owned land (with permission from the landowners) in hopes of introducing the diseases. A week later, whether due to the Citys’ efforts or occurring naturally, the diseases hit our population of Gypsy moths.

The City of Stevens Point also sprayed a stretch of City-owned trees to kill the caterpillars, in hopes of slowing the the insects spread.

The City will continue to monitor this pest. We will try and keep our citizens updated and informed of the gypsy moth. Hopefully, with a proactive approach, we can control the pest.

If you have any questions, you can call the City of Stevens Point Forestry Dept. at 346 -1532.

You can also find more information on the gypsy moth on the DNR gypsy moth page.

View the United States Department of Agriculture Gypsy Moth Handbook

EEK! Environmental Education for Kids "Changing Faces of the Gypsy Moth"

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Important News! Gypsy Moth Information Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) has made its way into the City of Stevens Point. It has been found here before , but not in large enough numbers to be a problem. This year an isolated “hot spot” of gypsy moth was found. It was mainly contained to the area highlighted in blue in the map to the left. The insect is an aggressive feeder in the caterpillar stage. It will feed on nearly 500 different kinds of trees and shrubs, and can defoliate them quickly.		Map Courtesy of Mapblast!
	In early May the gypsy moth caterpillars emerge from their egg masses (left) and begin feeding on the leaves of trees. Their preferred tree is oak. As the caterpillar gets larger, so does its’ appetite.
By June the caterpillars can be a real nuisance, just by their shear numbers (right), as well as by the hairs they possess which can cause a rash to many humans when touched.

The caterpillars feed until late June to early July. This is when the defoliation from their feeding becomes very apparent - the trees will be stripped of all their leaves. From late June to late July the gypsy moth spends its life in a pupae stage, which is similar to a cocoon. From this emerges the adult moth, and they live until about September.

	It is during this time, from August to September, that the female moth lays her eggs in masses (left).
She will deposit her eggs anywhere and everywhere; in firewood piles; under campers, trailers, cars; in cracks of trees (right); etc. Each egg mass can contain between 600-1000 eggs. From September until May, the gypsy moth remains in the egg stage.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? In areas where gypsy moth is known to exist, it is important to inspect outdoor materials for gypsy moth life stages, this is especially true when you are transporting items from one area to another. Be familiar with what the caterpillars look like (see above), and be familiar with what the egg masses look like (see above). If you’re hauling firewood to your family cottage and you find gypsy moth caterpillars on the wood, crush them, spray them, but do not transport them to a new area.

	If you find Gypsy moth egg masses, you can spray the eggs with a soy bean oil product call Golden Pest Spray Oil (left), or scrape the eggs into a microwaveable bag, “nuke” them for one minute, and then discard them. Simply scraping the eggs off and trying to crush them with your foot doesn’t work.

Once the caterpillars hatch, there are a number of things you can do. When they first hatch in May, you can put a piece of duct tape around the infested tree at chest height, and then spread "Tanglefoot" onto the tape. The young caterpillars will get stuck in this as they move up and down the tree.

Or, you can try putting up burlap bands (right). Cut a strip of burlap 12-18 inches wide and wrap it around the infested tree at chest height. Then tie a string around the tree on top of the burlap with six inches of burlap overhanging the rope. Many caterpillars will seek cover under the burlap during the afternoon. Once a day, you can check the burlap bands and dispose of the caterpillars found inside. You can crush them, or brush them into a bucket of soapy water. Once the caterpillars are dead, drain the water and throw them in the trash.
	The caterpillars can be sprayed with insecticide (left). Make sure the insecticide is labeled for controlling Gypsy moth caterpillars. There are some insecticides that are more caterpillar specific than others, and will not harm other beneficial insects. Choose your insecticide wisely, and always follow the label.

WHAT IS THE CITY OF STEVENS POINT DOING TO CONTROL THIS PEST? The City of Stevens Point Forestry Department is doing a number of things to control the gypsy Moth. First we have been carefully watching the spread of the gypsy moth as it has progressed toward our city. We have been in contact with the people in charge of controlling the Gypsy moth at the state level, the DNR and the Dept. of Agriculture. We have also been in contact with other municipalities that have already been impacted by this pest. The main thrust of the Citys’ efforts so far have been in regards to informing the public of the insect. All landowners in the above highlighted map were sent an informative letter with a handout on the gypsy moth earlier this year. The local newspapers have been very helpful by covering this story. This is the second story on the City website on the gypsy moth. We have discussed this problem with many area tree care companies. When the egg masses were discovered on City of Stevens Point land, Forestry dept. personnel sprayed the egg masses with Golden Pest Spray Oil. The City also helped a landowner coordinate a ground spray of egg masses early this spring with volunteer help from the University and Technical College. There is a fungus disease (Entomophaga maimaiga) and a virus disease (NPV) that are specific to infecting Gypsy moth caterpillars. Neither disease was apparent in the infestation here in the City. The City obtained caterpillars killed by these diseases in Columbia County and spread them on City-owned land and privately-owned land (with permission from the landowners) in hopes of introducing the diseases. A week later, whether due to the Citys’ efforts or occurring naturally, the diseases hit our population of Gypsy moths.

The City of Stevens Point also sprayed a stretch of City-owned trees to kill the caterpillars, in hopes of slowing the the insects spread. The City will continue to monitor this pest. We will try and keep our citizens updated and informed of the gypsy moth. Hopefully, with a proactive approach, we can control the pest. If you have any questions, you can call the City of Stevens Point Forestry Dept. at 346 -1532.

You can also find more information on the gypsy moth on the DNR gypsy moth page. View the United States Department of Agriculture Gypsy Moth Handbook EEK! Environmental Education for Kids "Changing Faces of the Gypsy Moth"