Gypsy Moths:

What They Are, What They

Do, and How to Stop Them
Scenario

● Gypsy Moths
○ An invasive species
○ Caterpillar stage of life
cycle cause major issue
for forests
Background
● Introduced in the late 1860’s by Leopold
Trouvelot
● Spend most of their life as an egg
● Spend ~2 months as caterpillars
○ Most damaging part of their life cycle
● Defoliation
○ Mass loss/destruction of leaves on plants
○ Caused by Gypsy Moth caterpillar stage
Conflict
Conflict ● Gypsy Moth caterpillars reduce overall
productivity of an ecosystem

● Stakeholders

○ Homeowners

○ Recreationalists (hikers, etc)

○ Conservationists

○ Agriculturalists

● Humans haven’t really affected the

problem outside of the guy who released
them
Question
Question
● What can be done to limit the effect
of Gypsy Moths on the ecosystem?

○ What solution would have the least

negative effect on the ecosystem?
Solutions (Already
Attempted)
● Pesticides
○ Not very effective
● Introduction of predators
(parasitoids)
○ Helps maintain smaller
gypsy moth population
but doesn’t minimize
population well enough
● Destroying isolated groups
○ Only effective in areas
that aren’t already
infested
● Specialized Virus
○ Was not contagious
enough, failed.
Solutions ● Genetic Time Bomb
Plant a mutation in a gypsy moth that after a number of
(New ○
generations causes moths to be infertile, is being thought
of as a way to combat mosquitos.
Approaches)
● Try Different Predators (White-Footed Mouse, Shrews,
Chipmunks, etc)
○ Increasing populations of predators that already exist in
the ecosystem could be more effective than introducing
new predators because it avoids the addition of invasive
species
Conclusion ● Continuous/growing problem

● Many solutions already attempted

● Requires more funding and specific
dedication
Sources/Citations

https://www.fs.fed.us/ne/morgantown/4557/gmoth/

https://extension.illinois.edu/gypsymoth/biology.cfm

https://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/insects-arachnids/nuisance-moths/gypsy-moths

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/effects-of-defoliation.htm

https://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/gypsy-moth

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-the-gypsy-moth-came-to-america-1968402