Gypsy Moths

Annandale, NJ(Zone 6b)

Gypsy Moth larvae seem to be breaking out all over the place on my property. I even found one of their tents in a tree. I remember the last onslaught in the 1980's, but I don't remember what people did to protect their trees. Does anyone have any ideas?

Shenandoah Valley, VA

Are they gypsy moths or tent catarpillars? The tent catarpillars have been awful here this year.

Harrisonburg, VA

I'm pretty sure that tent caterpillars are the larvae stage of gypsy moths. As far as I know the only way to get rid of them is to pull down the nests themselves and soak them in kerosene. I did some surfing and found a couple other info too. Small mammals are there main predators (so mice are good for something), tree bug band keeps them from getting to the foliage from the ground and there are sprays available as well.

Shenandoah Valley, VA

No, tent caterpillars are not the same as gypsy moths. Tent caterpillars are particularly fond of cherry trees but will also tent on apples and more rarely our peach trees. A lot of people think tent caterpillars are gypsy moths, I don't know why.

These are tent caterpillars
http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/defoliators/eastern_tent_catepillar.html

These are gypsy moths. They look sort of similar but not so much that you'd mistake one for the other. And they don't form tents.
http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/defoliators/gypsey_moth.html



This message was edited May 11, 2006 7:30 PM

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