Gypsy Moths
European Gypsy Moth populations have been increasing in Ontario. There have been many reports of infestations throughout the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Area Watershed and currently the Municipality of West Elgin is trying to map locations of where these infestations are to report them to the Ministry of Natural Resources. If you see Gypsy Moths, egg masses or caterpillars on your property please report this to us by submitting a form.
| What are Gypsy Moths? |
| Gypsy Moths are a non-native insect that is considered a major destructive pest in North America. They get their name from their ability to travel by attaching to various objects. They appear in late July or August. |
| What do they look like? |
| Males are greyish brown and females are larger and whitish in colour, with darker zigzag marks. Gypsy Moth caterpillars change looks as they grow. Young caterpillars are black or brown and as they grow they develop bumps along their backs with coarse black hair. See photo gallery above. |
| What happens during an infestation? |
| Gypsy Moth outbreaks occur every 7 to 10 years. Gypsy moth caterpillars (larvae) will chew holes in leaves and can eat as much as 1 square meter of leaves per day. During an infestation nearly all broadleaf (hardwood) trees may be completely defoliated. This can damage and even kill healthy trees. Caterpillars appear everywhere and their droppings will fall from trees. |
| Getting Rid of Egg Masses (November through late April) |
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Gypsy Moths spread easily, young caterpillars can be carried by wind currents for up to 1 km. Most often Gypsy Moths hitch a ride (mainly egg masses) on objects like vehicles, tents, trailers, firewood and lawn chairs. Inspect your lawn furniture and other items before removing them from your property. When an egg mass is found, scrape it off with a knife and drop it in a bucket filled with hot water and household bleach or ammonia. Remove picnic tables, swing sets and lawn furniture from around the bases of trees, because these objects provide the insects with protection from the heat of the sun. |
| Getting Rid of Caterpillars (Late April through late August) |
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Caterpillars and pupae can be handpicked and crushed. To be safe wear gloves when handling them, as the long hairs on the caterpillars can cause allergic reaction in some people. Caterpillars can be successfully trapped. To make a trap, wrap a 45 cm (17 inch) wide strip of burlap around the tree trunk at chest height. Tie a string around the centre of the burlap and fold the upper portion down to create a skirt, with string acting as belt. The caterpillars will crawl under the burlap to escape the sun and become trapped. Later in the day, lift the burlap, remove the caterpillars and dispose of them.
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| Where can I learn more? |
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Phragmites
Phragmites is a robust erect perennial grass. The invasive subspecies of phragmites (phragmites australis) looks very similar to native species. Invasive phragmites can grow up to 5 m tall in very dense stands with up to 200 stems per square meter. Invasive phragmites stems are generally tan or beige in colour, with blue-green leaves and large dense seed heads.
What can you do?
- professional help is recommended for eradicating phragmites. The most effective method is a three step combination of spraying with herbicide, mowing and controlled burning repeated over three years until the patch is eradicated.
- report sightings of phragmites on municipal roadways to the public works department.
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