Caterpillars are known to munch their way through a range of leaves. But is this the case for all types of caterpillars? what do gypsy moth caterpillars eat specifically?
Gypsy moth caterpillars can lay waste to entire crops and forests; these caterpillars are voracious eaters as they don’t stop eating until the whole tree or plant has run out of leaves.
Gypsy moth caterpillars can make horrid pests as they don’t stop until a whole tree runs out of leaves. These caterpillars can destroy whole crops and can cause a lot of damage to gardens and greenery due to their voracious hunger.
Gypsy moth caterpillars are called exfoliator pests which means they can eat plants and trees completely. They specifically love eating hardwood trees such as apple, oak, some poplars, alder, willow, and hawthorn trees.
If you notice a gypsy moth caterpillar in your garden, be sure to take care of the situation before an infestation occurs and you slowly start to lose your precious plants.
Are Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Dangerous?
Gypsy moth caterpillars are dangerous to gardens, yards, crops, and greenery. A gypsy moth caterpillar has a huge diet, and they can keep eating leaves until the plant or tree they’re eating from is bare. They may also give you rashes if you come in contact with the several spikes on their bodies.
Gypsy moth caterpillars can eat trees or plants for several weeks. During this duration, these caterpillars can cause a lot of damage to the trees or plants they ate from, often eating all their leaves.
In the early summer months, between June and July, they enter the pupal stage, where they transform into adult moths.
Once a gypsy moth caterpillar attaches itself to a tree or any plant, the larvae start eating the new spring foliage. The damage these caterpillars cause increases each time they grow in size and procreate.
You will start to notice that you have a gypsy moth caterpillar infestation when your plants and trees start to run out of leaves and your garden looks less green day by day.
Are Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Dangerous to Humans?
Gypsy moth caterpillars aren’t only a danger to the trees and flowers in your yard but can also harm your health.
Suppose you were gardening and got in contact with a gypsy moth caterpillar without realizing it. The hair on the caterpillar can cause an annoying, irritating, and itchy rash when they touch your skin.
The rash is similar to rashes caused by poison ivy and can sting a lot. The several bristles on these caterpillars are mainly used as a defensive mechanism, so no predators come too close to the caterpillar but can also hurt you.
Hairy caterpillars are often very poisonous, no matter how tiny. Always head over to the doctor for a checkup before matters worsen.
A gypsy moth caterpillar’s droppings can also cause several problems. When eating leaves, their droppings often fall onto ponds, patios, driveways, porches, and anything underneath them.
If you have a gypsy moth caterpillar infestation and have started to lose trees and plants, you might be thinking of using pesticides which is an obvious approach, but before you use them, you’ve to check their label and use it as directed.
Pesticides are dangerous for children, pets, and any critters or animals you like in your yard, such as squirrels and birds.
So if you want all these safe and sound, only apply minimum pesticides to a targeted area; often, wild animals will automatically avoid entering an area where pesticides are present.
Gypsy moth caterpillars can be a nightmare to any plant lover, so it’s advised to take quick action even at the slightest doubt.
What Do Gypsy Moths Eat?
When the gypsy moth caterpillar pupates and transforms into the adult gypsy moth, its diet changes a little, and it only eats the leaves from the outer edge inwards, and after it’s done with the leaf, only a skeleton is left.
Adults aren’t as dangerous to gardens, farms, and crops as their larvae are.
The young caterpillar larvae of the gypsy moths are dangerous to trees, they drill small holes in the leaves they eat, and their holes are in the middle of the leaf.
The tree they’re eating from often has no chances of survival if a whole infestation occurs.
FAQs
If you still have questions about gypsy moth caterpillars and what they eat, these FAQs might help you out:
Do Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Eat Pine Trees?
Young gypsy moth caterpillars do not eat pine tree needs but, as they mature, they are more likely to consume pine trees.
Do Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Eat Tomato Plants?
Yes, gypsy moth caterpillars will eat an entire tomato plant, destroying it before it has had a chance to produce any fruits.
Do Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Eat Maple Leaves?
Yes, maple leaves are one of the plants that gypsy moth caterpillars will eat plenty of. This is one of their favourites.
Summary
Pests can be nightmares in any garden or yard; they can ruin greenery and plants and make a mess. Caterpillars are common pests in gardens that often destroy flowers and plants.
The gypsy moth caterpillar, though is much worse than most caterpillars as it eats several plants, flowers and trees and leaves nothing behind.
Resources
Below are some of the sources of information we used to put this article together:
Ryan is a keen gardener from the UK who’s spent years dealing with countless, common pests over the years so knows the ins and outs of how to deal with pests in the garden
