Lymantria dispar, known as the gypsy moth, or the spongy moth, is a species of moth in the Erebidae family. Lymantria dispar is subdivided into several subspecies, with subspecies such as L. d. dispar and L. d. japonica being clearly identifiable without ambiguity. Lymantria dispar has been introduced to several continents and is now found in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and South America. The polyphagous larvae live on a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and can cause severe damage in years of mass reproduction. Due to these features, Lymantria dispar is listed among the world's 100 worst invasive alien species.

Moths of the subfamily Lymantriinae are commonly called tussock moths due to the tussock-like tufts of hair on the caterpillars.
 The name Lymantria dispar is composed of two Latin-derived words. The generic name Lymantria means 'destroyer'. The species epithet dispar means 'to separate' in Latin; it refers to the sexual dimorphism observed in the male and female imagines.
 In July 2021 the Entomological Society of America decided to remove the name "gypsy moth" from its Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List as "hurtful to the Romani people". In January 2022, the new common name "spongy moth" was proposed, as a translation from the French name "spongieuse" for the species, referring to the sponge-like egg masses laid by L. dispar.

Etymology

The North American and European Lymantria dispar moths are considered to be the same subspecies, usually referred to as Lymantria dispar dispar. Confusion over the classification of species and subspecies still remains. The U. S. Department of Agriculture defines the Asian subspecies as "any biotype of L. dispar possessing female flight capability", despite L. d. asiatica not being the only accepted subspecies that is capable of flight. Traditionally, L. dispar has been referred to as "gypsy moth" even when referring to Japanese, Indian and Asiatic gypsy moth populations.

Taxonomy

In North America, several species of parasitoids and predators have been introduced as biological control agents in attempts to help control this moth. Beginning in the late 1800's, at least 10 species have become established in this way, but for nearly a century there was little regulation or research on the effectiveness or non-target effects of these introduced natural enemies. Several were generalists that offered little control of L. dispar and attacked other native insects. One such species is the tachinid fly Compsilura concinnata, which attacked many other host species (over 180 known hosts documented), decimating many of the large moth species previously abundant in the Northeast. Another is the encyrtid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae which attacks L. dispar eggs but is not strictly host specific, and also parasitizes the eggs of other Lepidoptera species. The most effective control agents are microbial pathogens; a virus (LdmNPV), and a fungus (Entomophaga maimaiga).

Biological pest control measures

harmful

Lymantria dispar, commonly known as gypsy moth, is considered a tree pest because its larvae feed on the leaves of various tree species, causing defoliation and potentially leading to tree decline or death if infestations are severe.

tree pest

Lymantria dispar can be considered garden pests because their larvae have a voracious appetite and can feed on a wide range of plants, including those commonly found in gardens, leading to defoliation and potential damage to ornamental plants and vegetables.

garden pest

Lymantria dispar can be considered crop pests because their larvae have the ability to feed on a variety of crops, including fruit trees and agricultural crops, leading to significant damage and potential economic losses for farmers.

crop pest

Lymantria dispar is considered a pest because its larvae have a voracious appetite and can cause significant damage by feeding on the leaves of trees, garden plants, and agricultural crops, leading to defoliation, tree decline, and potential economic losses for farmers.

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