What are Gypsy Moths? 🐛
Gypsy moths, or Lymantria dispar, are invasive species that have been weakening trees across North America. Gypsy moth caterpillars defoliate trees, mostly hardwood species. In outbreak years, nearly all hardwood trees in a forest can be defoliated, and the caterpillars can be identified by the sound of their droppings ‘raining’ from the trees.
Impacts of Gypsy Moths
defoliates and kills hardwood trees
Impacts economic and recreational use of hardwood trees
How to get rid of them…
can be removed by scraping caterpillars off of trees, and putting them into a container of soapy water for 24 hours.
Placing a band of burlap around the tree will encourage caterpillars to hide here in the heat of the day. Check under this band regularly to collect the caterpillars hiding here.
How to identify them…
caterpillars are 5-6 centimetres long, with five pairs of blue dots and six pairs of red dots along their back
Female moths are white with dark markings and cannot fly
Male moths are brown and can fly
Egg masses are about 4 centimetres long, and tan coloured.
http://www.invadingspecies.com/gypsy-moth/