Gypsy Moth

Lymantria dispar

The Gypsy Moth is a pest that arrived in the United States in 1869. It is a major defoliator of hardwoods in Northeastern United States. When it is a caterpillar is when it is most damaging. In 1989 the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service estimated that the Gypsy Moth had defoliated close to a million or more forested acres each year.

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During the period of 1984 - 1999, 57 Gypsy Moths have been found in Wyoming. Nine counties have reported positive finds, Albany (2), Fremont (1), Hot Springs (2), Laramie (17), Lincoln (1), Park (7), Sheridan (3), Teton (7), Washakie (7), and Yellowstone National Park (10). Most of these counties have a high number of tourists traveling through each year.