FOOD: The leaves of many plants, but
especially oak and aspen
trees.
PREDATORS: Small mammals, especially deer mice and shrews; caterpillars, hunter beetle larvae
HABITAT: Forests, especially oak and hickory
DESCRIPTION
The gypsy moth is not native to the United States.
It comes from Europe and Asia. It was introduced by accident into Massachusetts in the
1860s. From there it spread out to become one of the most destructive forest pests.
Like all moths, when they hatch, they are
caterpillars. Later they spin cocoons and metamorphose into moths. When they are
caterpillars, birds don’t seem to like to eat them because they are so hairy!
Continental United States
