Gypsy Moth question

[bugmankeith]

I have very few Oak trees by me, mabye 2 large trees a block away from me, yet every Summer I see plenty of Male gypsy moths flying by. I do have an over-abundance of Sugar Maples by me. Will Gypsy's eat the leaves of Sugar Maple, and would a female lay her eggs on Maple bark for the young to develop, or do they only lay eggs on Oak?

 

[spydrhunter1]

maple and other hardwoods are all fair game....GM's just prefer oaks.

 

[fantasticp]

We had gypsy moths in New Jersey when I was a kid. As far as I remember they ate just about any leaf you gave them. That's why they try so hard not to spread them to states not already infested. Can't say about their host plant though..... I love their skully faces.

 

[bugmankeith]

Ok so I imagine there are eggs/larvae on the Maples, but really high up so that is probably why I never see them, there are no low hanging branches for me to reach.

While were on the subject, I found this image a while back, various color forms of the larvae. I like the white one!

 

[fantasticp]

Ok so I imagine there are eggs/larvae on the Maples, but really high up so that is probably why I never see them, there are no low hanging branches for me to reach.

While were on the subject, I found this image a while back, various color forms of the larvae. I like the white one!

Did it say if they were birth colors or based on what they ate? I know hornworms can change colors based on what you feed them. They are blue or green, but if you feed them an actual tomato (red+blue=purple) they can turn purply.