Here you can see the results of feeding by the larvae which results in entire stands of trees being defoliated. Gypsy moth larvae hatch from overwintering eggs in early spring and feed during the mid to late spring. By early summer they have matured and entered the pupal stage. Here you can see the type of damage they do to the foliage of hardwoods. They have brown wings with black wavy lines running across the wings.
Males are good fliers.
Female moths are heavy bodied insects and, perhaps because of their weight, cannot fly. They are about one inch long with long pencil-like antennae. They have white wings with black wavy lines running across the wings. Here you can see several white female moths and brown males on a tree trunk. Mating occurs where ever the female is located and she also lays her eggs there.