Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Effects of management on gypsy moth dynamics and impact: an eight-year study

Informally Refereed

Abstract

A long-term study initiated in 1989 at the West Virginia University Forest contrasted the effects of silvicultural treatments on the development of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) outbreaks and their impacts. The area is a relatively susceptible Quercus spp./mixed hardwood forest. Egg mass densities, survivorship, and mortality from natural enemies differed little between stands that were treated silviculturally and those that were not. However, stands that were thinned had less overstory mortality than unthinned stands despite incurring comparable levels of defoliation.

Citation

Muzika, R.M.; Liebhold, A.M.; Gottschalk, K.W. 1998. Effects of management on gypsy moth dynamics and impact: an eight-year study. In: McManus, M.L.; Liebhold, A.M., eds. Proceedings, Population dynamics, impacts, and integrated management of forest defoliating insects; 1996 August 18-23; Banska Stiavnica, Slovak Republic. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-247. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 261-268.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/47462