ST. PAUL — This is the time of year to watch for gypsy moth caterpillars that may have hitchhiked a ride from the eastern U.S. into Minnesota. Gypsy moth caterpillars are hairy and have five pairs of blue dots and six pairs of red dots down their back.
Gypsy moth larvae will rest in protected areas. When working with trees and shrubs remember to search all crevices and loose bark flaps. Newly introduced gypsy moths tend to target their preferred food sources, such as oaks, birch, apple, basswood and hawthorn, however they can feed on up to 300 different species of trees and shrubs.
If gypsy moth life stages are found, please document the find with photographs and report it to the MDA Arrest the Pest hotline by calling 1-888-545-6684 or emailing arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us. Please include your contact information so the MDA can follow up on the report.
— Minnesota Department of Agriculture
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