Photo Credit: John H. Ghent, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

European Gypsy Moth
Lymantria dispar

Moth Family (Erebidae)

Size: 20-35 mm (0.8-1.4 in)

Habitat/Range: Introduced from Europe, it has now spread across many parts of North America.

Eating Habits: It mainly eats the leaves of oak, willow, poplar and birch, but can eat other trees such as pine and spruce.

Description:

The females are white or cream coloured with black markings on the wings, and are bigger than the males.  The females are unable to fly.  The males are smaller, a mottled brown colour with a dark brown line along the bottom of its wings.  The males also have feathery antennae, and can fly (usually in a zig zag pattern).  Gypsy Moths are serious pests and can damage trees by eating all of the leaves.  It is the caterpillar of the moth that causes all of the damage.