They eat the leaves of many types of trees but prefer Oak , Beech , Willow , Apple and Birch . When gypsy moth populations are high, they can defoliate these trees and shrubs on your property. Gypsy moth caterpillars start hatching in mid to late April.
Young caterpillars spend most of their time in the crowns of trees.
One to two weeks later, as they begin to feed and grow, the caterpillars will travel down the tree trunks during the day to seek shelter. At night they return to the crown to feed. It is this nighttime feeding - daytime hiding cycle that makes it possible to use burlap banding for caterpillar control. Caterpillars are easily killed by putting them into a container of soapy water. Caterpillars must be removed and killed by you for this to be an effective control method.