Transcript Asian Gypsy Moth

Asian Gypsy Moth
Asian Gypsy Moth
Why is it a problem?
• Wide host range (500 species of trees and
shrubs)
– Larch, oak, poplar, alder, willow and some conifers
including hemlock, pine, spruce and southern white
cedar
• All of the damage caused by Asian Gypsy Moth
(AGM) is caused during the caterpillar stage.
– If became established could cause defoliation of
millions of acres of trees causing a huge economic
impact. Additionally, large amounts of caterpillar frass,
destroyed leaves and dead moths would be a
nuisance to homes, yards and parks.
Asian Gypsy Moth
Lymantria dispar
• Native to Asia
• Transported to N.A. by
ships from Russia and
Germany
•First identified in British
Columbia in 1991
•Not established in the U.S.
but has been detected and
eradicated from CA, OR,
ID, TX and WA.
Photo Ferenc Lakatos, University of WestHungary, www.ipmimages.org
Comparing Gypsy Moth Pests
•European Gypsy Moth (EGM) was
intentionally introduced in the U.S. in
1869 and is now established in
northeastern U.S. and southeastern
Canada.
•AGM like EGM prefers forest
habitats and both cause defoliation
and deterioration of trees and
shrubs.
•AGM has a broader host range than
EGM.
•AGM adult females are active fliers
where EGM adult females are
flightless. Greater ability to disperse.
Asian Gypsy Moth on left and European
Gypsy Moth on right. Photo USDA-APHISPPQ, www.ipmimages.org
Asian Gypsy Moth
What does it look like?
Male
Larva or caterpillar
Photos clockwise: AGM larva, Ferenc
Lakatos, University of West-Hungary, AGM
Adult Male, John Gent, USDA Forest
Service, AGM Adult Female, John Gent,
USDA Forest Service, www.ipmimages.org
Female
Asian Gypsy Moth
What does the damage look like?
Photos left to right: Damage from AGM larva feeding,
Defoliation from AGM larvae feedilng, Ferenc Lakatos,
University of West-Hungary, www.ipmimages.org
Asian Gypsy Moth
life Cycle
Four Stages: Egg → Larva (caterpillar)
→ Pupae (cocoon) → and Moth
AGM egg masses may be found on trees,
stones, walls, logs and lawn furniture and
other outdoor objects. Each 1 ½ inch egg
mass contains 100 eggs. The mass is
covered with a buff or yellowish fuzz
which comes from the abdomen of the
female.
Photos left to right:
Damage from AGM
larva feeding, Ferenc
Lakatos, University of
West-Hungary, Egg
mass, John H. Gent,
USDA Forest Service,
www.ipmimages.org
AGM eggs begin hatching into
caterpillars in the spring. All of
the damage caused by the
AGM is done during this stage.
Asian Gypsy Moth
life Cycle
AGM caterpillars stop feeding when
they enter the pupal or cocoon
stage. This begins in late June or
July.
Photo USDA-APHIS-PPQ,
www.ipmimages.org
Photo Ferenc Lakatos, University of WestHungary, www.ipmimages.org
Adults emarge from the cocoons in
10 to 14 days. AGM does not feed
in the moth stage but only mate
and lay eggs. Eggs are laid
between July and September. The
eggs remain dormant during the
winter and hatch in the spring.
Asian Gypsy Moth
Status and Control?
• Considered a pest of regulatory concern.
• Control should be simple if timing is perfect:
– Bt is labeled and effective