The Clare Conservation District, has been receiving a number of calls from residents worried about finding gypsy moth larva on their trees and outbuildings.
Here are some things that may be helpful to know:
While they will defoliate a tree, Dr. Robert Heyd, DNR forest health specialist states that gypsy moths rarely kill trees in Michigan. Heyd also states that, "Historically, only trees already suffering from problems like drought, old age or root damage are at risk."
The best defense against the gypsy moth is to locate the egg masses and destroy them. The recommended removal practice is to scrape the egg masses off the tree or outbuilding and destroy them prior to hatching in late spring. In addition, there are natural predators of gypsy moth larva including Calosoma beetles, birds, mice and Braconid wasps, which lay their eggs inside the caterpillar.
Gypsy moth caterpillars are sometimes confused with other leaf eating caterpillars. You can identify the gypsy moth caterpillar by the long hairs protruding from the body and the colored "bumps." The bumps are pairs of 4 of blue followed by pairs of 6 of red (refer to the image on the left.)
The Conservation District`s staff advises landowners to be on the lookout for other common oak defoliators. These include Forest Tent caterpillars, Cankerworms--also known as "loopers" or "inchworms, and Oak Leaf Miners. Many of these populations are controlled by natural predators and parasites.
The Clare Conservation District will be out counting gypsy moth egg masses starting August 29th as part of the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program. If you need more information or find gypsy moth caterpillars on your property, please call the Clare Conservation District at 989.539.6401
Here are some things that may be helpful to know:
- Gypsy moth caterpillars hatch from eggs in late April or May.
- While oak trees are a favorite feeding host, they will also feed on cherry, crab apple, maple, aspen and other trees and shrubs.
While they will defoliate a tree, Dr. Robert Heyd, DNR forest health specialist states that gypsy moths rarely kill trees in Michigan. Heyd also states that, "Historically, only trees already suffering from problems like drought, old age or root damage are at risk."
The best defense against the gypsy moth is to locate the egg masses and destroy them. The recommended removal practice is to scrape the egg masses off the tree or outbuilding and destroy them prior to hatching in late spring. In addition, there are natural predators of gypsy moth larva including Calosoma beetles, birds, mice and Braconid wasps, which lay their eggs inside the caterpillar.
Gypsy moth caterpillars are sometimes confused with other leaf eating caterpillars. You can identify the gypsy moth caterpillar by the long hairs protruding from the body and the colored "bumps." The bumps are pairs of 4 of blue followed by pairs of 6 of red (refer to the image on the left.)
The Conservation District`s staff advises landowners to be on the lookout for other common oak defoliators. These include Forest Tent caterpillars, Cankerworms--also known as "loopers" or "inchworms, and Oak Leaf Miners. Many of these populations are controlled by natural predators and parasites.
The Clare Conservation District will be out counting gypsy moth egg masses starting August 29th as part of the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program. If you need more information or find gypsy moth caterpillars on your property, please call the Clare Conservation District at 989.539.6401