 The gypsy moth is a leaf-eating insect belonging to the insect order Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths. Now ranked as one of America's most destructive pests of trees and shrubs, it was brought to Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 as part of a failed attempt to breed a hardier silkworm. The insect escaped from the lab and headed for the trees with disastrous effects.
Since the turn of the century, the gypsy moth has slowly spread westward from New England. The pest's ability to feed and survive on more than 300 types of trees and woody plants makes it well suited to North America's hardwood forests, and the lack of natural predators made its transition to our continent much easier.
Female gypsy moths cannot fly and have no choice but to deposit their eggs on objects near the trees they were feeding on as caterpillars. These objects might be firewood, car wheel wells, grills or any outdoor household article or lawn ornament. When these objects are moved from an infested area, the gypsy moth eggs "hitchhike" into other areas, hence the name gypsy moth.
The United States government realized early on that this insect would be a serious problem. In the early 1900s, a federal quarantine was placed on all trees in the infested area. Nurseries wanting to transplant trees from the quarantined area had to conduct a thorough inspection to ensure the moth wasn't hitching a ride. Since the female moth cannot fly and the larvae can only move a few miles on the wind, the quarantine kept the moth isolated in the New England region for decades.
In recent years, and with a helping hand from people, the gypsy moth has expanded its territory, from western Pennsylvania all the way through Ohio, Michigan and Illinois, and into central Wisconsin. The moth deposits eggs on just about anything so people camping in infested areas during prime egg-laying periods (July through mid-August) are particularly likely to carry the pest home on camping gear or even on their vehicles. Fortunately, the moth has not arrived en masse in Minnesota - yet.
 Cooperative Program
Minnesota's gypsy moth program is coordinated under the Gypsy Moth Program Advisory Committee (GMPAC). This group provides recommendations on short- and long-term gypsy moth program components and is comprised of experts from:
GMPAC's mission is to delay, prevent or mitigate adverse impacts directly or indirectly associated with gypsy moth infestation on the state's natural resources, citizens and industries.
Milestones
1969: First signs of gypsy moth appear in Duluth (egg masses and pupal cases)
1973: Annual trapping program begins with 550 traps set
1976: First male moth trapped in the state (Hennepin County)
2004: Minnesota joins the national Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Program
MDA Contact
Arrest the Pest Hotline
888-545-6684
gypsy.moth@state.mn.us
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