Gypsy Moth
Lymantria dispar
This record describes Lymantria dispar (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Lymantria dispar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymantria dispar.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae (Underwing, Tiger, Tussock, and Allied Moths)
- Subfamily
- Lymantriinae
- Tribe
- Lymantriini
- Genus
- Lymantria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Well wooded areas.
Seasonal Activity
Adult: July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplants are a range of deciduous trees and in continental Europe the species is a common pest.
Additional species information
Recorded status
In the early part of the 19th century, this was a common species in the East Anglian and southern fens, but by about 1900 had become extinct as a breeding species. Since 1995 the species has been resident in small numbers in parts of London and may now be spreading in England. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Vagrant/Accidental.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lymantria dispar. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Gypsy Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Gypsy Moth
How big is Gypsy Moth?
26mm to 38mm (1.02" to 1.49")
Where is Gypsy Moth found?
Habitat: Well wooded areas.
When is Gypsy Moth active?
Gypsy Moth: seasonal activity - Adult: July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Gypsy Moth?
The larval foodplants are a range of deciduous trees and in continental Europe the species is a common pest.