These natural enemies take their toll on all stages of the gypsy moth life cycle. Predators Birds, insects, mice and shrews - all are important predators of gypsy moth. Although many birds don't like feeding on gypsy moth caterpillars, a few species such as the yellowbilled cuckoo, seem to relish the big, hairy caterpillars. Small rodents like white-footed mice, shrews and voles feed on large caterpillars and pupae.
Mice seem to prefer the larger female pupae to smaller male pupae.
This selective munching may have an even greater impact on gypsy moth populations than random dining. Calosoma beetles also actively seek out and devour young gypsy moth caterpillars. Calosoma beetles are large, attractive ground beetles. Some species were imported into North America specifically for gypsy moth control. Both the larval and adult stages of this beetle are predaceous.