Analysis - view details of type of pest/disease/disorder
  Index BFW

Gypsy moth - Lymantria dispar | deutsch

Symptoms    Leaves, leaf scales, needles: initially skeletonizing feeding pattern (lonly leaf veins remain), later on all tissues eaten by caterpillars; egg layers sponge-like on the stem bark, yellowish-white, palm-sized; caterpillars up to 70mm in length, densily coated by hairs, brown, yellow longitudinal lines or one broad, brown stripe; the first five segments with two blue button-shaped warts, the others with red warts. Imago: female white with brownish zigzag-shaped stripes and black dot; wingspan 50-70mm; male darker (grey-brown) and smaller (wingspan 35-50mm)
Impact    Primarily occuring on oaks, occasionally also on other broadleaved trees, rarely on conifers; repeated total defoliation may cause the death of a tree; in most cases trees are only weakened, but predisposed to attacks by secondary damaging agents! Hardly any possibility of errors, as long as egg sponges are present.
Control    Control of young caterpillars with Bazillus thuringiensis-compounds; also biotechnical skinning inhibitors (for instance DIMILIN possible (see Official Register of Plant Protection); removal of the egg-sponges from the stem and from branches in winter; male moths can be attracted with pheromone-traps.
Hosts   Maple; Birch; Beech; Edible chestnut; Oak; Ash; Ex-Robinia; Spruce; European Hornbeam; Hazel; Hemlock; Pine; Thuja; Linden, Lime; Poplar; Fir; Elm; Walnut; Willow;
Affected plant parts    Leaf; Needle;


Gypsy moth – feeding damage by caterpillars on Thuja
Gypsy moth – feeding damage by caterpillars on Thuja


The shown graphical material is copyrighted. © 2006 BFW Wien. You can use the images for your own publications only if you name the source AND if you have a valid agreement with BFW Vienna. Furthermore images in high resolution are for sale at BFW.
In this case please contact (Department of Forest Protection) or , our PR manager.

Index BFW | Department of Forest Protection | Other types of damage | Back