Agricultural Pests (Insects and Diseases)
The Gypsy Moth is one of the most destructive pests of hardwood forests and shade trees in the United States, and is known to defoliate millions of acres of trees in a single season. The larva feed on over 500 species of plants and has few natural predators. It is established in the northeastern states, parts of the Midwest, and isolated infestations have been found in Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Utah and Oregon.