Gypsy Moth

CRANBERRIES

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Gypsy Moth
Order: Lepidoptera || Family: Lymantriidae
Lymantria dispar

Gypsy moth is cyclic and in the past has undergone major outbreaks every 9 to 10 years in the northeastern U.S. and Canada. The larva is one of North America’s most devastating forest pests (especially fond of oak and aspen). It has no problem eating cranberry foliage as well. Check for patchy infestations that can be spot-treated, e.g. along bed edges facing trees that might be infested. Check previously infested areas – eggs can overwinter on flooded beds. Early detection is key: larvae consume terminal buds and any new growth that has begun. To learn even more about gypsy moth, look for the gypsy moth Fact Sheet at the following website, which also has some high-quality gypsy moth photos: http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/defoliators/gypsey_moth.html

Scouting note for growers: Add the number of gypsy moth larvae to any cutworms and humped green fruitworms found for determining the AT (Action Threshold).

Photo of a Gypsy Moth caterpillar

If you have comments or questions about this page,
contact Charles Armstrong at: charlesa@umext.maine.edu

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These pages are currently being maintained by the Pest Management Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Page Last Modified: 05/15/08