Keeping track of the gypsy moth

4 Pages·1996·0.29 MB·English

by  United States. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, issuing body

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific l<nowledge, policies, or practices.

.
Thecaterpillarstageofthegypsy Gypsymoth male.
mothfeedsonthe leavesoftrees.
detections of low-level populations so otheractions can be
taken to disruptthe normal cycle of population establish-
ment, buildup, and spread.
The traps come in two designs and may be green,
orange, or brown. The smallertrap, named the deltatrap
after its shape, resembles a pup tent. The larger, longerone
is called the milkcarton trap. Both traps are baited with a
lure that releasesthe female gypsy moth's natural hormonal
scent, its pheromone. While the pheromone is highly
attractive to male gypsy moths, it has no effect on people,
plants, animals, oreven other insects. Once a male moth
enters atrap, it is eithercaught in thie device's sticky lining
(deltatrap) or killed by a small insecticidal strip (milkcarton
trap).
Trapping
Yourcooperation is needed to help preventthe establish-
ment ofthe gypsy moth in yourarea. Trap results help
scientists identify gypsy moth locations as precisely as
possible. Pinpointing gypsy moth locations is difficult iftraps
are missing ordisturbed, so please do not disturb thetrap
on your property.
Ifyou have questions orwish to report afallen or
disturbed trap, please contactyour nearest State
department ofagriculture office ortheclosest USDA
APHIS or FS office.
TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)prohibitsdiscriminationinitsprogramsonthe
basisofrace,color,nationalorigin,sex,religion,age,disability,politicalbeliefs,and
maritalorfamilialstatus.(Notallprohibitedbasesapplytoallprograms.)Personswith
disabilitieswhorequirealternativemeansforcommunicationofprograminformation
(braille,largeprint,audiotape,etc.)shouldcontacttheUSDAOfficeofCommunicationsat
[phone]
Tcaollfi(le20a2)co7m2p0l-a7i327 -..r,.a,7-?,f-l.f-J'€yl^^j'^^A'r.j^fa#lif|*#gqtuoanl,eDmpClo20y2m5e0n,tor
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State Departments ofAgriculture
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Keeping Track of the
Gypsy Moth
The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)is atree defoliator (leaf-
eater) and aseriousthreattoforest, shade, and ornamental
trees. Since its introduction into Massachusetts in 1869
from its native home in Europe, it has spread throughoutthe
Northeastern United States infesting and defoliating millions
ofacres. The caterpillarstage ofthe moth's life cycle is
responsible forthe damage the pestcauses, eating the
leaves oftrees in the spring.Astheygrowand reach
maturity, the individual caterpillars consumetremendous
amounts of leaf material perday. In outbreaksituations,
when their numbers get high enough, the caterpillars are
capable ofcompletely stripping the leaves off hosttrees
overwide geographicareas. Repeated defoliation leadsto
tree stress and eventual death.
Although the natural spread ofthe gypsy moth has not
reached all ofthe susceptible parts ofthe United States, the
insect has been able to move long distances into newareas
as a hitchhiker. Gypsy moth egg masses and other life
stages are often moved on,cars, recreational vehicles, logs,
nurserystock, and outdoor household articles being
transported in conjunction with household moves.
This artificial movementcreatesthe potential forspot
infestations in areasthatwere previously uninfested. To
combatthis unwanted spread, tvuo agencies ofthe U.S.
DepartmentofAgriculture (USDA)—theAnimal and Riant.
Health Inspection Service (APHIS)and the Forest Service '
—
(FS) work in close eooperationwithState departments of
agriculture to conductacomprehensive gypsy moth
program.
Help Us Survey for Gypsy Moths
Thetraps in youryard and neighborhood are partofthe
survey portion ofthe gypsy moth program. Designedto
capture male gypsy moths, thesetraps are used by Federal
and State officials in theirsurveyactivitiestotrackthe
spread ofthe moths. Thefocus ofthiswork isto make early