PLEASE NOTE: As of July, 2021, the Entomological Society of America no longer recognizes the common name gypsy moth for Lymantria dispar. Our website will be updated with the new common name after it is selected.

Plant Industry - Plant Protection Section
Entomological Services - Gypsy Moth Program

The entire state of North Carolina has been survey trapped for gypsy moth since 1982. Since then, more than 100 intervention programs have been initiated to either eradicate isolated populations or suppress populations close to the leading edge of the gypsy moth's advancing front. One county, Currituck, and a portion of a second county, Dare, are currently quarantined for gypsy moth. Both counties are in northeastern North Carolina.

Adult male and female
John H. Ghent, USFS, www.forestryimages.org

*Announcements*
2022 Proposed Gypsy Moth Treatments Note: If you are moving from a gypsy moth quarantine area to a non-quarantine area, you must inspect your outdoor household items for the gypsy moth and remove all life stages of this destructive insect before you move. Please use this checklist when conducting your self-inspection.

*Gypsy Moth Background*
Introduction and Life Cycle
History
How to Identify GM
Related Links

*Programs*
Trapping: Each year, NCDA places and checks between 18,000 and 21,000 gypsy moth traps. Traps are placed in mid-spring and retrieved in mid- to late-summer. Please do not bother gypsy moth traps! USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, Bugwood.org
Treatment: Localized gypsy moth infestations are identified and treated. Because of the intensive nature of North Carolina’s trapping program, the extent of a particular infestation is known with precision. Only infested areas are treated. North Carolina is proud to use only environmentally-friendly products. John H. Ghent, USFS, www.forestryimages.org
Regulatory: Human-caused movement is the greatest contribution to the spread of gypsy moth. High risk industries (timber, moving, etc) are regulated to prevent human-caused movement of gypsy moth. Egg masses being laid on a car wheel. Rusty Haskell, University of Florida, Bugwood.org

RELATED LINKS:

For Additional Information Contact:
Sarah Lalk - Forest Health Research Operations Manager
Phone: (919) 707-3743

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Plant Industry - Plant Protection Section Entomological Services - Gypsy Moth Program

Plant Industry - Plant Protection Section
Entomological Services - Gypsy Moth Program