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Gypsy Moths and Your Trees

As many Lincolnshire residents are aware, gypsy moths are destructive leaf eating insects that pose a significant threat to the trees of Lincolnshire. Though gypsy moths only feed for about 40 days each year, the results can be devastating. The insect, which is native to Europe, will feast on the leaves of more than 500 different types of plants; however, gypsy moths prefer to eat the leaves of Oak trees when they are available.

It is important to note that, like all leaf eating insects, Gypsy moths do not actually kill the trees that they feed on, rather they weaken the trees so that disease and other insects can take advantage of the tree’s reduced ability to protect itself. Trees rely on their leaves to capture sunlight which, through the process of photosynthesis, is converted to the sugars that trees use to grow and stay healthy. High populations of gypsy moth caterpillars can completely strip trees of their leaves in a matter of days. Because many trees in populated areas are already stressed due to urban conditions, gypsy moth feeding can have serious consequences.

If left unchecked, gypsy moth infestations can destroy countless numbers of valuable trees. Fortunately, for the trees of Lincolnshire, the Village has been closely monitoring gypsy moth populations for four years now, and is about to conduct spraying operations for the third straight year. While spraying for gypsy moths has proven to be a successful option for reducing the insect’s population in the areas of greatest concern, it is not economical or warranted to spray in all areas of the Village at this time. For this reason, the residents of Lincolnshire should be on the look-out for gypsy moths on their property.

The easiest time to spot, and destroy gypsy moths is when they are in their larval stage. Gypsy moth larvae, or "caterpillars," hatch from eggs in early May. For the next 40 days or so, the caterpillars spend most of their time eating leaves. When they first hatch, the caterpillars are only about an 1/8 of an inch long, but as they continue to feed they can grow to more than three (3) inches in length. Gypsy moth caterpillars are very conspicuous looking. They have large pale heads, with dark hairy bodies. Furthermore, the hairy caterpillars have six pairs of red dots and four pairs of blue dots on their backs. If you see these dots, you're looking at a gypsy moth.

At low population levels, gypsy moth larvae will only feed at night, and will descend from the trees during the day time to hide. From early May to late June, gypsy moth caterpillars can be found on trees, outdoor furniture, the walls of your home and just about anywhere else outside. Since gypsy moths can lay as many as 1,000 eggs each, it is important to collect and destroy any gypsy moths that you find.

The best way to protect your trees by collecting and destroying gypsy moth is by tying a flap of burlap, (or other dark fabric) around the trunks of your trees. As the caterpillars climb down the tree to hide, the burlap or fabric, provides a false sense of security. All the homeowner has to do is inspect the areas in and around the burlap flap, and collect any gypsy moths that are resting there. The easiest way to destroy the gypsy moths is to scrape them into a bucket of soapy water. The soap water will kill the insects, and after a few minutes they can be discarded. Gypsy moths do not bite or sting, so they can be handled safely. However, the hairs on their bodies could cause irritation, so care should be taken to keep them away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you find significant amounts of gypsy moths on your property, or if you just want to know more about gypsy moths and how to protect your trees, contact Tony Gliot, the Village Forester, at (847) 883-8600.