gypsy moth caterpillar

A recent BYGL Alert (June 17, 2021 - https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1802) has prompted some emails coming from the following counties: Wayne, Medina, Lorain, Erie, Williams, Lucas  and Wood.

 

Caterpillars are gaining in size, their appetite is increasing, and their frass is falling. Last evening, I went to check out a site in Lucas County, in Toledo's Ottawa Park. The park includes many oaks, in the turf areas, and in the wooded area between the open areas and the adjoining golf course. There is plenty of food for these hungry...

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars are becoming evident in areas where populations are present. Citizens are reaching out to local Extension offices to identify the caterpillar and determine what is the best course of action.

 

The caterpillars are voracious feeders and as their numbers build, their appetites expand and plant foliage disappears rather quickly. While they prefer oaks, their host preferences are quite expansive. They seem to enjoy the needles of spruce, especially as larger, or later instar caterpillars.

 

Wisconsin has a "...

While the hatch of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars in some areas of the state began weeks ago, and the optimal treatment time to manage the caterpillar stage is nearing, first instar caterpillars just recently made their 'insect-debut' in NW Ohio, specifically in Toledo where the observation was made.

Last year was an active year for gypsy moth in Ohio, especially what I was seeing personally in Lucas County (Toledo, Ohio). Earlier this season, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) treated ten identified blocks in Lucas County. There were also treatments made across the state for both larval control and mating distribution at part of the national program coordinated in Ohio by ODA. Information on the treatments made by ODA, including maps, can be found on their website at: https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/gypsy-moth-program/gypsy-moth-program  Additionally...

Conversations among family and friends this week could include dying, hiding and finding "eggs." It is Easter you know. 

 

The eggs that we are talking about in this BYGL Alert are those of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar).  After spending about nine months in the egg mass stage, warmer temperatures are triggering the hatch of the caterpillars in Ohio.  These tan almost felt-like in appearance masses that can be laid anywhere will soon be bursting with 1st instar caterpillars. 

While we are eagerly awaiting the first hatch in NW Ohio,...

On Thursday, April 20, 2016, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced that they will soon begin aerial treatments designed to control the gypsy moth population in Ohio.  Treatments on 1,474 acres in Perry, Ross and Scioto Counties will begin in late April, as larva and leaf development reaches the optimal threshold for treatment.

 

Brett Gates with ODA shared that treatments are administered using a low-flying aircraft that flies just above tree tops just like the photo shared with this article online.  High humidity, low...