In spring when weather warms and
leaves open, caterpillars hatch from eggs laid the previous
summer.
Caterpillars feed on newly expanded
leaves.
About 7 weeks after egg hatch, mature
caterpillars stop feeding, find a sheltered resting spot and
pupate, forming a protective shell.
Adult male gypsy moth
Adult female gypsy moth
Forest defoliated by gypsy moth.
Don't confuse Gypsy moth caterpillar
with other leaf feeding caterpillars present in spring. Here
is Eastern Tent Caterpillar, a web-forming caterpillar.
This site is for use by municipal
forestry departments, park districts, the green industry and other
concerned agencies to report gypsy moth findings in Northeastern
Illinois. The site will be monitored by University of Illinois Extension
staff
and the Illinois Department of Agriculture to assist in the effort
to suppress the spread of gypsy moth.
