Female moths are larger than males and predominantly white with a few faint, wavy brown or black bands and V-shaped markings on the front wings. Marginal dark spots are found on both front and hind wings. Because they cannot fly, females do not move far from the pupation site to lay their 500 or more eggs. The eggs are covered with a tan satin-like mass made from the female's body hair. Eggs are the stage in which the gypsy moth overwinters.
Moths die soon after mating and egg laying.
There is only one generation of gypsy moth each year. One night of -20 F or colder kills many overwintering eggs not covered with snow. Eggs can also be scraped or otherwise removed and destroyed. But they must not be allowed to fall to the ground, where snow cover will increase the chance of hatching. Burlap can be wrapped around the trunks of trees to collect caterpillars and prevent them from climbing into branches to feed.