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Gypsy Moth Caterpillars and Egg Mass

Lymantria dispar

Photo by Christine Y.
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Egg masses are light tan, and the eggs inside are black. Each mass may contain 400-600 eggs. The caterpillars are very hairy - Early instars do not exhibit the characteristic blue and red pairs of tubercles.

Habitat:

These caterpillars were on the back of a shed in a semi-rural backyard. The area was very shady and damp. There was a pupal exuviae right below the caterpillars (see last picture), which makes sense for gypsy moths because females are flightless and often lay eggs near their exuviae.

Reference Links:

Species Lymantria dispar - Gypsy Moth - Hodges#8318 - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
Machi
Thank you! Great spotting :)
Christine Y.
Thanks ForestDragon and Machi! Love your pics and video Machi!
ForestDragon
I agree with Christine. These are Gypsy Moth caterpillars. http://bugguide.net/node/view/8780
Machi
I just noticed the pupa(?) remains in your last photo and I also observed those on the tree I spotted the larvae on. Perhaps from the same moth. I posted my photos today, so maybe if I get an ID soon you can check it against yours. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/2134406002
Machi
Yes, but I have a lot of photos to upload so it might be a while before I get to the photos of them hatched. I have a spotting of the egg case before it got soaked and weathered though: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1964556002 I have no idea as to what kind of moth they could be.
Christine Y.
Wow, cool - did you get a pic? I was thinking this could be gypsy moths, but am not sure.
Machi
Just spotted these hatching in my yard too. Interesting egg cases

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World
Mission
Caterpillars of Eastern North America
Mission
New England Arthropods
Mission
Insects of New England

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Photographed
PublishedMay 17, 2016

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