First Detectors

European Gypsy Moth(Lymantria dispar)

First Detectors

Why be Concerned about Gypsy Moth?

Tree defoliator Attacks over 300 species of woody plants Increases susceptibility to secondary pests

and pathogens Native range and established areas: appears

as an outbreak pest Greatest damage occurs at first introduction 425,000 acres were defoliated in the U.S. in

2009

First Detectors

July

Gypsy moth is a tree defoliator Trees are stressed, leaving

them susceptible to other pests and diseases

Each caterpillar consumes 3 square feet of foliage!

Impacts

Widespread defoliation in Wisconsin caused by gypsy moth

First Detectors Human Nuisance

First Detectors Where is Gypsy Moth Established?

Europe and north Africa (native) U.S. and Canada (invasive)

First Detectors Identifying Gypsy Moth

Egg Masses Caterpillars Pupae Adults (males vs. females)

First Detectors Gypsy Moth Life Cycle

First Detectors

Emergence

Each female lays one mass

containing 500-1000 eggs

Overwinter in a protected spot

Egg Masses(laid in late summer, hatch in late spring)

First Detectors

6 pair of red spots

5 pair of blue spots

Caterpillar (late spring through early summer)

First instar larvae

Larger caterpillars rest by day, eat at night

First Detectors

Gypsy moth, fg = 2”

Fall webworm, fg = 1”

Whitemarked tussock moth

fg = 1 1/3”

Yellownecked caterpillar

fg = 1 3/4”

Eastern tent caterpillar

fg = 1 3/4”

Forest tent caterpillar

fg = 1 3/4”

Spiny elm caterpillar

fg = 2”

Whi

tney

Cra

nsha

w

MN

Dep

t of A

g.

Caterpillar Lookalikes

First Detectors Feeding Damage

Entire leaf to midrib Can cover acres of woody habitat

First Detectors Host Preference

Preferredeaten by all stages of larvae

Oak, aspen, willow, white and river birch, basswood, larch, mountain-ash, alder and apple

Hawthorn, hazelnut, hophornbeam, hornbeam, serviceberry, witch-hazel

Less-preferredeaten only by older larvae

Yellow birch, boxelder, butternut, black walnut, cherry, eastern cottonwood, elm, hackberry, hickory, red and sugar maple, pine, and spruce

Blueberries, pin cherry, chokecherry, sweet fern

Avoidedrarely fed upon

ash, cedar, fir, silver maple, catalpa, mulberry and many urban species

Dogwood, elderberry, grape, greenbrier, juniper, raspberry, viburnum, and buckthorn!!

First Detectors

Gypsy Moth Damage Risk Model (2004)

First Detectors

Pupa (Cocoon)(summer months)

Males smaller than females Sparse silken threads Found in protected spots

Bark crevices Duff layer

2 weeks

First Detectors

Adult(mid-summer to early fall)

Female(does not fly)

Male (daytime flier)

Distinct “commas”

on both top and

underside of wings

Feathered antennae

First Detectors Mating Behavior

Females do not fly Pheromone attracts males Females lay one egg mass Adults die, eggs overwinter

First Detectors Early Detection

Pheromone Lure Traps Male moths are caught as they try to find a mate Sticky interior

First Detectors 2003-2009 Trap Catch Trends

2004 2005 2006

2007 2008 2009

First Detectors

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

19

73

19

75

19

77

19

79

19

81

19

83

19

85

19

87

19

89

19

91

19

93

19

95

19

97

19

99

20

01

20

03

20

05

20

07

20

09

Moths Caught

Traps Set

Gypsy Moth in Minnesota

Detection program in Minnesota started in 1973 Rapid increase due to nearing of the first wave

First Detectors

“Ballooning of larvae”

Populations expand 1¼ miles per year due to larval dispersal

Natural ArtificialTourism

Nursery stock

Household moves

How Do Gypsy Moths Spread?

Life stages are transported by humans 13-16 miles per year

First Detectors

Factors That Influence Spread Rates

Early season temperatures & larval survival Wind events & larval dispersal Habitat & host abundance Spring rains & disease incidence Predator habitat & predation rates PEOPLE through artificial introductions

First Detectors

Population Stage

Management Strategy

Management Goal

General infestation

Suppression To protect high value resources by reducing outbreak populations

Building Slow the Spread To reduce the population peaks beginning to coalesce along the “front”

Pre-Infestation Eradication To eliminate isolated outlier populations

National Gypsy Moth Management

First Detectors Management Options

Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) Common soil bacterium toxic to gypsy moth

caterpillars Halts feeding

Disparlure (mating disruption) Targets adults Reduces mating success

Diflubenzuron Interferes with molting Often used in nursery settings

Treatments have kept Minnesota gypsy moth-free Treatments have kept Minnesota gypsy moth-free since 1980!since 1980!

First Detectors Which is Gypsy Moth Damage?

A B C

First Detectors Which is Gypsy Moth?

AB

C

First Detectors

What Life Stage of Gypsy Moth Would You Look For?

A.A. Egg MassEgg Mass

B.B. CaterpillarCaterpillar

C.C. PupaPupa

D.D. AdultAdultJohn Kyhl, USFS

First Detectors Is this Gypsy Moth?

First Detectors Why Did These Trees Die?

D. Not enough information

C. Gypsy Moth

A. Emerald Ash Borer

B. Asian Longhorned Beetle

First Detectors Which Is Gypsy Moth?

First Detectors Summary

Gypsy moth is a destructive forest pest Confidence in early detection systems Minnesota has prime habitat for defoliation Management takes advantage of behavior

Larval feeding Mating

People are the main source of long-distance transportation and spread of gypsy moth

Call 888-545-MOTH or visit www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth for more information about trapping and treatment