However, they will do best when feeding on oaks. Yes, a few. Plants which are not usually eaten by gypsy moth caterpillars include arborvitae, ash, locust, catalpa, cedar, dogwood, holly, sycamore, tulip polar, and walnut. That depends on the kind of tree. If defoliation occurs in more than two consecutive years, the tree may die, but if not, it becomes weak and more susceptible to other insect pests, diseases and drought.
Evergreen trees are much less tolerant of defoliation.
Most evergreens are unable to survive a single season of intensive gypsy moth feeding. Adult gypsy moths do not feed. Dispersal and spread of the gypsy moth may be either natural or artificial. Artificial spread over long and short distances occurs when people transport egg masses or caterpillars on plants, automobiles, firewood, household goods, and other belongings. One infestation began in Virginia when an unsuspecting homeowner moved several dog houses from New Jersey that contained gypsy moth egg masses.