Signature:

Children’s PlaythingsBicycles, tricyclesPlayhousesSandboxesSleds, toboggansSwingsets

Tire swingsWagonsOther outside toyslike trucks or sand molds

Other ItemsCars or trucksCar partsCar rampsFarm implements

PlantsStored tires(snow tires)

Yard and Garden ItemsAnimal houses(doghouses, rabbithutches, etc.)

Barbecue grillsBirdbathsBird feedersBird housesBug lightsCartsColdframesDriftwoodFencingFertilizer spreadersFlagpolesGarden tillers

Garden toolsLawnmowersMailboxesPicnic tablesPorch or patiofurniture

Signs and postsSnowblowersStorage shedsSwimming poolsTractors andtrailers

Trees and shrubsTrellisesWheelbarrowsYard decorations

Please inspect anything that was stored outside!

Don’t MoveGypsy Moth

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United States Department of AgricultureAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No.1329

The U.S. Department of the Interior’sNational Park Service (NPS) supports anationwide integrated pest managementapproach toward managing the gypsymoth and other exotic pests. Educationand awareness are key in spreading theword about gypsy moth. We gratefullyacknowledge NPS’ cooperation indistributing this leaflet to park visitors.Inspecting recreational vehicles andcamping equipment for gypsy moth eggsbefore leaving home can significantlyreduce the likelihood of spreading thispest to currently uninfested areas. Weappreciate NPS’ help in distributing thisbrochure to visitors traveling throughNational Park sites.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibitsdiscrimination in all its programs and activities on thebasis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital orfamily status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to allprograms.) Persons with disabilities who require alterna-tive means for communication of program information(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact theUSDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice andTDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building,1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA isan equal opportunity provider and employer.

Cover photo: Inspect your outdoor household articles likedecorative containers for gypsy moth egg masses. Use astiff brush for removing them. To destroy the egg masses,place them in a container of hot, soapy water.

Photo credits: The cover photo and images in figures 4, 8(top), 10, and 11 were taken by APHIS photographer AnnCzapiewski. Images in figures 2, 3, and 7 were taken byLinda J. Card, Maryland Department of Agriculture, andare reproduced by permission. Photographs in figures 6and 8 (bottom) were taken by USDA photographer PerryRech. Images in figures 5 and 9 come from the APHISphoto collection.

Issued in this format December 1994Significantly revised March 2001

Don't Move a Serious Pest to aNew Neighborhood

Planning to move from a State infested with gypsymoth to one that is not infested? Moving yourcamper or recreational vehicle across State lines?You need to know about a regulation intended toprevent the interstate spread of this pest.

Studies show that most new, isolated infesta-tions of the gypsy moth were started from eggmasses transported on outdoor household articles—garbage cans, lawn furniture, children's toys—anyitem accessible to the female moth at egg-layingtime. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) enforces gypsy moth quarantine regulationsrequiring that such articles be inspected for all gypsymoth life stages prior to movement outside of thegenerally infested area. As shown in figure 1, thisincludes most of the northeastern part of the UnitedStates.

Figure 1—The gypsy moth is widely distributed in theNortheast. This map illustrates the parts of the UnitedStates regulated for gypsy moth as of March 2001.

The area infested with gypsy moth changes eachyear. You can find a map of the current regulatedarea at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/maps

19341960’s1970’s1990’s2000

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In 1999, following a successful pilot project,USDA’s Forest Service in cooperation with theAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)launched the Slow the Spread (STS) campaign, aprogram created to reduce the rate of gypsy mothmovement into noninfested areas. STS useseducation, detection, and control strategies to slowthe spread of this pest across the 1,200-mile gypsymoth frontier from Wisconsin to North Carolina. Theprogram area is located ahead of the advancingfront of the gypsy moth population. The programfocuses on early detection and suppression of thelow-level populations detected along this advancingfront, disrupting the normal cycle of populationbuildup and spread.

If you live where the gypsy moth is prevalent,you know the damage the larval stage of this insectcan cause. Those leaf-eating caterpillars devour theleaves of many hardwood trees and shrubs, givingsummer scenes a barren, wintry look. Gypsy mothlarvae have been known to defoliate up to 13 millionacres of trees in 1 season, damaging local ecosys-

tems and killing trees outright. The larvae also crawlon homes, litter lawn furniture and pools, and makeoutdoor activities hard to enjoy.

People glad to be leaving the annoyance ofliving with the gypsy moth took egg masses alongunintentionally—to hatch and spread far from theirold neighborhood. Millions of Federal and State taxdollars are spent every year to limit the movement ofthese pests and to eradicate the isolated infestationsthat have been established in previously uninfestedareas. We need everyone’s help in detecting gypsymoth populations and keeping this insect fromspreading to new neighborhoods.

Failure to inspect household articles for gypsymoth life stages prior to movement from a regulatedarea is a violation of USDA quarantine regulationsand may result in significant civil penalties. Inspect-ing your personal property for gypsy moths goesbeyond being a good neighbor: it is required by law.Don't be responsible for moving an old pest to a newneighborhood.

Figure 2—At first glance, this appears to be a beautifulforest, but nearly half the trees in the background havebeen defoliated by the gypsy moth. Defoliation altershabitat, adversely affecting canopy and understoryecosystems.

Figure 3—A severe infestation can leave trees barren inthe middle of the summer. Then, in an attempt to releaf,trees use up stored energy and become stressed.

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Inspecting for Gypsy Moth

You are responsible for making sure that youroutdoor household articles don't move the gypsymoth. How you do this is your decision. Thequarantine regulations allow for self-inspection ofhousehold goods, and this pamphlet was developedto assist you should you choose to self-inspect.Alternatively, you may pay a USDA-trained certifiedpesticide applicator to inspect the articles you planto move.

APHIS officials work cooperatively with theStates in monitoring anyone who moves outdoorhousehold articles out of the regulated area. Theseofficials check to see if people who are moving havea document certifying that their outdoor householdarticles have been properly inspected and found tobe free of gypsy moth. Without such a certificate,movement of the outdoor household articles consti-tutes a violation of the quarantine. Appropriateaction, including the assessment of civil penalties,may be taken against the owner of the infestedhousehold goods.

Self-InspectionIf you decide to do the inspection yourself,

include anything accessible to a gypsy moth.Inspect any article left outdoors, stored in areasopen to the outside, or stored indoors but usedoutdoors.

The checklist at the end of this brochure listsmany common outdoor household articles that couldcarry gypsy moth life stages. Carefully examineeach article, remove any life stages found, destroythem, and check the item off the list. Be sure toenter the date and place inspected and sign at thebottom. This will be your official certificate of self-inspection. Include this list with the paperworkaccompanying your move, and give it to the driver ofthe moving van. If you are moving yourself, be sureto keep the paperwork with you in case it isrequested at any point during your trip.

Professional InspectionParticipating State-licensed pesticide applica-

tors are trained to inspect your household items andtreat heavily infested articles or inaccessible spaceswith registered pesticides if necessary. Thesepersons are also authorized to issue you a certifi-cate stating that your outdoor household items arefree of gypsy moth.

This certificate will satisfy the requirements ofall uninfested States and will relieve you of liabilityshould your items be reinspected by a State officialin the destination State and be found to harborgypsy moth. The certificate must be issued prior tothe movement of the outdoor articles, and within 5days of your departure during the period of activeegg laying (June through August).

You may find pesticide applicators who areparticipating in the program through localadvertising.

Figure 4—If you inspect for gypsy moths on your own, make sureto thoroughly check all outdoor household articles for egg massesand remove and destroy them.

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Recognizing Gypsy Moth Life Stages

If you choose to inspect your outdoor householdarticles, you need to be able to identify gypsy mothlife stages. Most important is the egg mass. Thispublication contains photographs to help you.

Figure 5—The gypsy moth egg mass is covered with buffor yellowish “hairs,” giving it a velvety appearance.

The gypsy moth goes through four stages ofdevelopment—egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (co-coon), and adult (moth). It has one generation ayear. During the summer months, female mothsattach egg masses to trees, stones, walls, logs, andother outdoor objects, including outdoor householdarticles. Each egg mass contains up to 1,000 eggsand is covered with buff or yellowish “hairs” from theabdomen of the female. The velvety egg massesvary in size but on average are usually about aninch and a half long and three-quarters of an inchwide (a little bigger than a quarter).

In southernmost infested States, eggs beginhatching in late March. Hatching starts around earlyMay in the northernmost infested States. Thegrayish, hairy caterpillars are tiny at first but easy toidentify when about half-grown because they havepairs of red and blue dots on their back. Maturecaterpillars are from 1.5 to 2.5 inches long. Thesecaterpillars are voracious feeders and, in outbreaksituations, can devour all the leaves from the treesand plants in entire neighborhoods and forests.

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Figure 6—Identifying gypsy moth larvae is easy becausethey have several pairs of blue and red dots on their back.

Figure 7—Gypsy moth caterpillars survive in highnumbers in North America because here, unlike Europe,they don’t have many natural enemies.

Caterpillars stop feeding when they enter thepupal or "cocoon" stage, ranging from May insouthernmost infested States to early July in north-ernmost infested States, varying with weather andclimate. Adult moths emerge from the dark-brownpupal cases 10 to 14 days later. Males have lighttan to brown wings marked with dark, wavy bands,and a 1.5-inch wingspread. Female moths arelarger than males and generally white, with awingspread of about 2.5 inches. Despite havinglarger wings, the female moths cannot fly.

Population Growth and Decline

A number of factors, such as available food sources,predators, parasites, and disease, affect the size ofthe gypsy moth population each year. Dependingon the pest’s population cycle, homeowners mayexperience severe gypsy moth infestations for ayear or two and then go several years withoutnoticing any obvious signs of infestation. Justbecause the gypsy moth appears to have disap-peared, however, does not mean it’s gone. It maybe present in small numbers 1 year, but before long,the population cycle will resurge. In the absence ofmonitoring and appropriate suppression, the gypsymoth will again destroy trees and shrubs in infestedareas.

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Figure 8—Adultgypsy mothsemerge in thesummer from dark-brown pupal casesthat can remain ontrees and othersurfaces after themoths are gone.

Figure 9—The adult female gypsy moth is about twicethe size of the male and white in color.

Neither sex feeds in the moth stage; adultsmate and lay eggs only. The eggs are the dormantstage of the life cycle, allowing the pest to survivewinter weather. In the spring the eggs hatch,starting the life cycle over again.

What To Do If You Find Gypsy Moth Life Stages

An effective way to dispose of gypsy moth lifestages is to remove them by hand. Scrape eggmasses from their locations with a putty knife, stiffbrush, or similar handtool. Dispose of egg massesand other life stages in a container of hot, soapywater, or place them in a plastic bag, seal it, and setit in the sun. You may elect to abandon articles ifthey are heavily infested and of little value to you.

Figure 10—Yard tools left outside during the spring andsummer months are a favorite spot for female gypsymoths to deposit egg masses.

Some people are allergic to gypsy moth hairs,which are attached to all life stages. Allergic reac-tions include skin rashes and respiratory distur-bances. If necessary, wear gloves, protectiveclothing, and a dust mask.

Depending on the time of year, you may haveto protect your articles from reinfestation by caterpil-lars or moths after inspection. The best way to dothis is to store the articles inside. Do not conductthe inspection more than 5 days prior to yourdeparture.

Remember, you are the key to preventing theinterstate movement of gypsy moths on outdoorhousehold articles, including recreational vehicles.Do your part to prevent the spread of this pest.

Figure 11—Make sure to turn over farm implements andother equipment that can conceal egg masses from viewand provide protection against predators and harshwinter weather.

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Additional Information

If you need additional information about the Federalregulations on moving outdoor household articles,contact one of the following:• Your State's regulatory officials, usually listedunder department of agriculture, plant protection orregulatory division, in the State government sectionof your telephone directory.• A Federal regulatory official, listed in the FederalGovernment section of your telephone directoryunder USDA, APHIS, Plant Protection and Quaran-tine.• Your county's agriculture extension agent, listed inthe Federal Government section of your telephonedirectory under USDA, Cooperative State Research,Education, & Extension Service.• A local commercial moving company. Movershave been cooperating with USDA to be sure thatthe Federal regulations about gypsy moth arefollowed.

For more information about gypsy moth andAPHIS cooperators in the fight to control this pest,log onto the following Web sites:

STS Program• http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/fsgmpro.html

Species profile of the gypsy moth• http://www.invasivespecies.gov/profiles/eurogypsymoth.shtml

Biology and distribution of the gypsy moth• http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/egm/index.html

APHIS’ Agricultural Quarantine and Inspectionports in the United States• http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/aqi.html

State partners• http://www.reeusda.gov/1700/statepartners/usa.htm

National Plant Board• http://www.aphis.usda.gov/npb/npbmemb.html

Recreational or Camping ItemsBackpacksBasketball backboardsBicyclesBoatsBoat trailersCampersIce chestsMotorcyclesMotor homes

Household ItemsAir conditionersBarrelsCardboard andwooden boxes

Clothesline polesClothespin bagsEmpty plantcontainers

FirewoodHouse plants takenoutside during thesummer

LaddersOutdoor doormatsOutdoor thermometers

RefrigeratorsSheets of plasticShuttersStorage shedsStorm/screen doorsand windows

Tanks for propaneand oil

Television antennasTrash cansWashing machinesWater hosesWeather vanesWindow awnings

Building MaterialsBricksCinder blocksCement mixing tubsLumberRoofing materialsSewer pipes

Tools and toolboxesWater pipesWelding equipmentWorkbenches

Self-Inspection Checklist

Important: Make sure this checklist goes withyour household goods when you move!

Checklist and Record of Your Self-InspectionDate:Address:

Recreational vehiclesSnowmobilesSports equipmentTarpsTentsWaders or boots

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