Keeping Track of the

Gypsy Moth

The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a tree defoliator (Ieafeater) and a serious threat to forest, shade, and ornamental

trees. Since its introduction into Massachusetts in 1869

from its native home in Europe, it has spread throughout the

Northeastern United States infesting and defoliating millions

of acres. The caterpillar stage of the moth's life cycle is

responsible for the damage the pest causes, eating the

leaves of trees in the spring. As they grow and reach

maturity, the individual caterpillars consume tremendous

amounts of leaf material per day. In outbreak situations,

when their numbers get high enough, the caterpillars are

capable of completely stripping the leaves off host trees

over wide geographic areas. Repeated defoliation leads to

tree stress and eventual death.

Although the natural spread of the gypsy moth has not

reached all of the susceptible parts of the United States, the

insect has been able to move long distances into new areas

as a hitchhiker. Gypsy moth egg masses and other life

stages are often moved on cars, recreational vehicles, logs,

nursery stock, and outdoor household articles being

transported in conjunction with household moves.

This artificial movement creates the potential for spot

infestations in areas that were previously uninfested. To

combat this unwanted spread, two agencies of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA)-the Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Forest Service

(FS)-work in close cooperation with State departments of

agriculture to conduct a comprehensive gypsy moth

program.

I Delta trap.

J Milk carton trap.

Help Us Survey for Gypsy Moths

The traps in your yard and neighborhood are part of the

survey portion of the gypsy moth program. Designed to

capture male gypsy moths, these traps are used by Federal

and State officials in their survey activities to track the

spread of the moths. The focus of this work is to make early

The caterpillar stage of the gypsy

moth feeds on the leaves of trees.

detections of low-level populations so other actions can be

taken to disrupt the normal cycle of population establishment, buildup, and spread.

The traps come in two designs and may be green,

orange, or brown. The smaller trap, named the delta trap

after its shape, resembles a pup tent. The larger, longer one

is called the milk carton trap. Both traps are baited with a

lure that releases the female gypsy moth's natural hormonal

scent, its pheromone. While the pheromone is highly

attractive to male gypsy moths, it has no effect on people,

plants, animals, or even other insects. Once a male moth

enters a trap, it is either caught in the device's sticky lining

(delta trap) or killed by a small insecticidal strip (milk carton

trap).

Trapping

Your cooperation is needed to help prevent the establishment of the gypsy moth in your area. Trap results help

scientists identify gypsy moth locations as precisely as

possible. Pinpointing gypsy moth locations is difficult if traps

are missing or disturbed, so please do not disturb the trap

on your property.

Ifyou have questions or wish to report a fallen or

disturbed trap, please contact your nearest State

department of agriculture office or the closest USDA

APHISor FS office.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the

basis of race. color. national origin. sex, religion. age, disability, political beliefs, and

marital or familial stalus. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information

(braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at

(202) 720-2791.

To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, DC 20250, or

call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TOD). USDA is an equal employment

opportunity employer.

Issued November 1996

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Forest Service

State Departments of Agriculture

Program Aid 1570