Exotic Species Paper

The European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a moth that is native to Europe and
Asia. The gypsy moth was introduced to the forests of the United States in 1869.
By the end of the 20th century, the gypsy moth was prevalent throughout most of
the northeastern United States. Gypsy moths damage hardwood forests by eating
many types of trees, including fruit trees, basically acting like termites.
How does it spread?
Gypsy moths spread when larvae are blown away
by the wind. Luckily, this only moves gypsy
moths a short distance. However, people help
gypsy moths spread further. Cars, wood, and
outdoor furniture carry the gypsy moths for
long distances, which are responsible for 85% of
germination.
The gypsy moth can be found in Virginia, West
Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin
The gypsy moth had spread very quickly during the end of the 20th century. In
1900, it was only present in parts of Massachusetts. Between 1900 and 1920, the
gypsy moth spread to Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont. By
1940, it had spread to New York and Pennsylvania. Finally, by the late 1990s, the
entire Northwest was infested with gypsy moths. And now, the gypsy moth is
spreading at a rate of 21 kilometers per year.
Why is it a problem?
Caterpillars make the gypsy moth such a destructive species. Gypsy moth
caterpillars prefer to eat apple, cherry, hawthorn, hickory, maple, oak, sassafras,
sweetgum, and willow trees. In some cases, all of a tree's leaves can be consumed
by gypsy moths which is a serious threat to trees because it makes them more
vulnerable to disease. This type of damage is called defoliation. Because gypsy
moths damage fruit trees, orchards can be severely affected by outbreaks.
Defoliation costs the United States $870 million in damages every year.
Predation
Predation is part of the reason why the gypsy moth's populations fluctuate
dramatically. The gypsy moth's predators in North America include the white-
footed mouse and the smokey shrew. However, most gypsy moths are eaten by
mice, because birds find the hairy caterpillars unattractive.

Control
Many methods are used to manage gypsy moth populations, like eradication,
suppression, biological control, and silviculture.
Eradication is only used in small infestations, when populations are isolated and can
be pinpointed. These populations are eradicated by the application of pesticides, or
trapping. Suppression is the use of pesticides to decrease the density of gypsy
moth populations. Biological control is the killing of the gypsy moth by its natural
predators. Lastly, silviculture involves cutting down trees that are preferred by
the gypsy moth, making forests less attractive and less susceptible to gypsy moths.
Since gypsy moth management is a complex operation, it is difficult to determine
how much it costs. However, it has been determined that it certainly costs at least
millions of dollars.
Bibliography
Baldwin, Colin. "European Gypsy Moth." University of Kentucky Entomology. University of
Kentucky, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
"European Gypsy Moth." HungryPests.com. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
"Gypsy Moth Spread In North America." Gypsy Moth in North America. USDA Forest
Service, 29 Oct. 2003. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
"Gypsy Moth Timeline In North America." Environmental Education for Kids. Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2014.
"Gypsy Moth." The Virtual Nature Trail. Pennsylvania State University, 15 Oct. 2013. Web.
15 Oct. 2014.
McManus, Michael L., David R. Houston, and William E. Wallner. "Gypsy Moth
Handbook."Home and Garden Bulletin. United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. Web.
16 Oct. 2014.