Biology and Ecology

The gypsy moth appears to be a univoltine (one brood per year) species wherever it occurs in the world.  Eggs hatch in spring and feeding begins usually following dispersal by ballooning of the newly hatched larvae.  If larvae land on acceptable tree species the settle and begin feeding.  Once feeding is completed, larvae move to protected locations to pupate. Gypsy moths from other world areas pupate on a variety of substrates, similar to those reported for the gypsy moth established in North America.  Adults emerge and males find the females using the pheromones they produce.  Flight capable females may fly before or after mating.  Oviposition substrates vary geographically.  Strains of gypsy moth from different geographic areas have been reported to have heritable differences in several traits which may be adaptational to the natural environments where the strains are found.  Therefore, it is very likely that the gypsy moths introduced from Asia or other world areas will be different from the moths already present in the United States.  Also, pervious work has suggested that there may be some incompatibility between strains.  Therefore, it was necessary to document the variation and determine the inheritance of traits that are critical for modifying management techniques to eradicate or deal with new introductions from other world areas.  To accomplish this egg masses from 5 North American, 34 European, and 8 Asian populations were obtained and reared in the USDA Forest Service's Quarantine Laboratory in Ansonia, Connecticut. 

Our Research

• Modifying rearing methods to have sufficient quantities for research
• Egg chill requirements and inheritance 
• Larval growth rates
• Distribution and inheritance of female flight
• Population Biology

Last Modified: 10/16/2009

For further details log on website :
https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/invasive_species/asiangm/biology_ecology/