CLARE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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  • Home
    • Upcoming Events
  • Gypsy Moth
    • Gypsy Moth News
    • Population Maps
    • FAQ'S
    • Gypsy Moth Identification & Life Cycle
    • Natural Enemies
    • Foray 48b Bacterial Insecticide
    • Landowner Management >
      • Gypsy Moth Traps
      • Removal Guide
    • Links For More Information
  • Soil Erosion
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Permit Fee Schedule
    • Permit Application
    • Best Management Practices >
      • Silt Fence
  • Forestry
    • Qualified Forest Program
    • Project Referrals - Forestry Professionals
    • Meet our Forester!
    • Service Providers
    • Oak Wilt
  • About Us
    • Programs >
      • Farm Bill Programs
      • MAEAP
    • Planting Instructions
    • Staff & Board Members
    • Board Meetings & Minutes
    • Our Partners
    • Donate
  • Newsletter
  • FOIA
  • Cedar River Steering Committee

GYPSY MOTH LIFE CYCLE

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The Conservation District uses the following Life Cycle timeline to determine when to count egg masses, when to monitor hatch and plan to spray.  If you would like to print out a nice home version of the timeline.  Please click here. 

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EGG MASS
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HATCHING CATERPILLARS
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Feeding Caterpillar
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Pupa
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Female & Male Moths
SEPTEMER - MAY
Egg Mass

A single egg mass is intertwined in a matting of hair from the body of the female.  The hair is a tan-buff color, very water repellent and a good insulator.  These egg masses range in size from one to three inches long and are sometimes tear dropped in shape.  An egg mass can contain from 50 to 1,500 eggs.  Hatching occurs around the first of May and coincides with the time tree buds start to open.   This stage lasts for 7-10 days.    

MAY
Hatching Caterpillars

Hatched larvae are 3mm to 5 mm long and usually black in color.  They linger around the egg mass for several days if the weather is cool or rainy, then climb trees or other objects, trailing silken threads as they move.  When the larvae reach the top, they do not feed but drop on silken threads and are dispersed by the wind.  Feeding at night for 4 to 6 weeks, large larvae generally rest during the heat of the day unless populations are very large, then they wander constantly.  They continue to feed, shed the outer skin and feed until they are about 2 inches long.


MAY - JULY 
Feeding Caterpillar

Adult feeding caterpillar identified by the beige head with dark marks, five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots.  

MID JULY - EARLY AUGUST
Pupa

During the stationary stage the larvae are changing into moths.  This generally occurs from the middle of July until early August.  After about 10 days in the dark colored pupa cases, the adult moths emerge, leaving the pupa cases  behind. 

AUGUST - EARLY SEPTEMBER
Female & Male Moths

The female moth is creamy white and does not fly but emits a chemical called a pheromone to attract a male moth.  The male is brownish and flies in a zigzag pattern looking for a female.  A single male can mate with many females.  Both sexes have chevron markings (v or notch-shaped markings) on each forewing.
District Information
Located in the basement of
Clare County Courthouse
PO Box 356
225 W. Main Street 
​Harrison Michigan 48625

​Telephone: 989-539-6401

Fax: 989-539-2182
 OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
Sat. & Sunday - by appointment

OFFICE STAFF
Melissa Townsend - Administrator 
Melissa.Townsend@macd.org

Christine Brooks- Soil Erosion Agent
 Christine.Brooks@macd.org 

Nia Becker - District Forester
Nia.Becker@macd.org
OUR MISSION
"To encourage the wise use
 of our natural resources through promotion and education."