The City of Lakewood and the Ohio Department of Agriculture have confirmed that gypsy moths have been identified in Lakewood.  The gypsy moth population has only been identified in an isolated area of Clifton Park.  Immediately upon suspicion of the existence of gypsy moth, the City of Lakewood contacted the Ohio Department of Agriculture to do an analysis of the gypsy moth situation in Lakewood and inquire about programs aimed at managing the gypsy moth.

The gypsy moth is a non-native, invasive species that has been advancing into Ohio from Pennsylvania and Michigan over the past decade.  In its caterpillar stage, it feeds on the leaves of over 300 different tree and shrub species and is especially fond of oak.  A healthy tree can usually withstand only two years of defoliation before it is permanently damaged or dies. 

The gypsy moth develops in four stages: egg, larvae (caterpillar), pupae (cocoon) and moth and has only one generation per year.  The egg stage occurs from approximately August to April.  Hatching generally occurs in late April or early May, just as tree leaves are emerging.  The newly hatched larvae are 1/8" long, hairy, and mostly dark brown to black.  They climb to the tops of the trees and feed on leaves.  The larva spins a thread and uses wind currents to balloon from tree to tree.  This is the main way gypsy moths disperse.

The larvae are voracious feeders and can reach up to 3" in length.  In late June or early July, the larvae finish feeding and find a sheltered place to pupate.  The 1/2" to 1" pupa, or resting state, is hairless and dark brown.  Pupation takes two weeks and adult moths emerge in July or August.  Male moths emerge first and fly in a zigzag pattern during daylight hours.  Females do not fly, but can crawl a short distance.  Adult moths do not feed.

Residents are asked to monitor their trees for gypsy moth egg masses.  Gypsy moth egg masses are tan to brown in color, oval and about half the size of a quarter, and covered with hairs from the female's body. If residents suspect that they may have gypsy moth, they can contact Paul Klembara of the Division of Streets and Forestry at (216) 529-6813.  The Division will confirm the existence of gypsy moths and track location areas for the City's continuing strategy to manage the situation.

The gypsy moth was brought to the United States in 1869 by a French amateur entomologist looking to develop a new strain of silkworm for silk production.  Established populations exist in all or parts of 19 states from Maine to Wisconsin and south to Illinois and generally in a southeasterly line from Illinois to northeastern North Carolina.  To date, 44 of Ohio's 88 counties have established gypsy moth populations.

Click here to read the complete City of Lakewood Gypsy Moth Report.

More information about the gypsy moth can be found on the Ohio Department of Agriculture website at:

www.ohioagriculture.gov/gypsymoth.