The Asian Gypsy Moth

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The Asian Gypsy Moth is a Greater Threat to Washington State

A comparison of the Asian and European female gypsy moths.

The Asian gypsy moth is greater threat to Washington’s forests than the European gypsy moth.  Also an aggressive defoliator, the Asian gypsy moth female can fly up to 12 miles.  European females are flightless.  The Asian gypsy moth feeds on a greater number of host trees (over 500 species) including many conifers.  Washington has had more Asian gypsy moth introductions than any state in the US.  They arrive as egg masses attached to ships carrying cargo from Asian ports.  The Asian and the European gypsy moths are different varieties or sub-species of the same moth (Lymantria dispar).  The two varieties look very similar and only through DNA testing can the identity of the Asian variety be confirmed.

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