Whats Happening to my Oak Tree?
Gypsy moths are voracious eaters that can strip trees of their foliage in a matter of days. They go through four stages of development—egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult—and have one generation a year. Gypsy moth eggs are contained in an egg mass, which can contain up to 1,000 eggs. Hatching generally begins around mid-May, and the caterpillars that emerge can be identified by the pairs of red and blue dots on their backs. The gypsy moth larvae generally feed during the night, and prefer the leaves of oak trees. Feeding continues until early July, when the caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis and emerges as a winged adult. Female moths produce egg masses from July to September, whereupon moths of both sexes die. The most effective means of eliminating gypsy moths is the application of highly selective bacteria that paralyze the moth upon ingestion. In early May, affected oak trees should be sprayed with this specialized biological insecticide. The spray will not harm the trees, n
