Adults differ in appearance, males being brown with a fine, darker brown pattern on the wings. Females are nearly white, with a few dark markings on the wings. Females do not fly. Caterpillars climb trees and feed mostly at night. They are capable of denuding foliage from trees, and this activity will kill many trees if repeated over a few years.
Trees also become weakened and more susceptible to diseases and wood boring insects.
Control of Gypsy Moths. Egg masses can be scraped from trees and burned. Sticky bands may be placed around trees to prevent the larvae from climbing to the foliage. After World War II, DDT was used for chemical control and was very effective. However, many other animals from Honeybees to bald eagles were killed or affected also.