The gypsy moth caterpillar feeding preferences listed below are primarily designed for forested situations. Thus, the list refers to overstory and understory where overstory trees are the largest (for example oaks) and understory trees are smallest (for example, dogwoods). This list also refers to the age of caterpillars. Gypsy moth caterpillars, and insects in general, pass through a series of growth stages. Gypsy moth caterpillars pass through five (males) or six (females) stages where the fifth and sixth stages do the majority of feeding and can feed on the widest range of trees and shrubs. This list can be used to obtain a preliminary idea of the degree to which different tree species will be fed upon. For example, if the majority of trees in a forested area belong to Class 1 then the loss of leaves (defoliation) will probably be severe; sometimes all the leaves on these trees will be eaten. On the other hand, if the majority of trees belong to Class 3 then only limited defoliation will probably occur. Also see Gypsy Moth Feeding Preferences and the Homeowner. This publication is designed more for residential situations and simplifies the preference classes.

Class 1: Trees and shrubs that are eaten by all stages of caterpillars.

Overstory: apple , basswood, bigtooth aspen, quaking aspen, birches, boxelder, larch, American mountain ash, oaks, sweetgum, willow

Understory: alder, hawthorn, hazelnut, hornbeam, serviceberry, sumac, witch hazel

Class 2: Trees and shrubs eaten by stages 4, 5, and 6 (>1 inch in length).

Overstory: chestnut, eastern hemlock, pines, spruces

Class 3: Trees and shrubs that are moderately resistant but can be fed upon by stages 4, 5, and 6 (>1 inch in length).

Overstory: American beech, black and yellow birch, tupelo, Ohio and yellow buckeye, butternut, sweet and black cherry, eastern cottonwood, cucumbertree, American and slippery elm, hackberry, hickories, Norway, red, silver, and sugar maples, pear, silver poplar, sassafras, black walnut

Understory: blueberries, pin and choke cherries, American hornbeam, paw paw, persimmon, redbud, sourwood, sweetfern

Class 4: Trees and shrubs that are rarely eaten by any age caterpillar.

Overstory: ash, baldcypress, catalpa, eastern redcedar, balsam and fraser fir, American holly, horsechestnut, Kentucky coffee tree, black and honey locust, mulberry, sycamore, tulip tree

Understory: azaleas, dogwood, elderberry, grape, greenbrier, juniper, mountain and striped maple, rhododendron, brambles (Rubus  species), sheep and mountain laurel, spicebush, sarsaparilla, viburnums

Andy Roberts	Department of Entomology
540-231-4615 Last Modified: 16 April 2001