Transcript Invasive species

Invasive species / Gypsy Moths
Delilah Gonzalez
March 3, 2009
Period 1
What is an Invasive species ?
 Invasive species is a phrase
with several definitions. The
first definition expresses the
phrase in terms of nonindigenous species (e.g.
plants or animals) that
adversely affect the habitats
they invade economically,
environmentally or
ecologically.
 The second definition is an
expansion of the first and
defines an invasive species as
a widespread non-indigenous
species.
 Conditions that lead to
invasive species.

Scientists propose several
mechanisms to explain invasive
species, including species-based
mechanisms and ecosystem-based
mechanisms. It is most likely a
combination of several mechanisms
that cause an invasive situation to
occur, since most introduced plants
and animals do not become invasive.
Gypsy Moths
 The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is a moth in the
family Lymantriidae of Eurasian origin
 Originally ranging from Europe to Asia, it was
introduced to North America in the late 1860s and
has been expanding its range ever since.
Appearances
Egg masses are buff colored when first
laid
Egg masses may bleach out over the
winter months when exposed to direct
sunlight and weathering.
Egg masses contain from a couple of
hundred to about 1200 eggs
Female Gypsy Moth
female gypsy Moths continued
Females are generally light tan with brown or dark
tan bars on their wings.
Female Gypsy Moths do not fly.
Egg masses are Found on the bark of trees, they also
can be found under decks and on woodpiles, outdoor
furniture and playground equipment.
egg masses are most visible in the late fall after
leaves have fallen.
Egg masses are generally 1 1/2 inches long and
shaped like teardrops.
They appear to be wrapped in a tan-colored felt cloth.
They are spongy, without noticeable exit holes.
Eggs of Gypsy moths
Gypsy moth egg masses are typically
laid on branches and trunks of trees
During outbreaks they have been
known to fly to ships in port and lay
their eggs on the ships.
Moths
Introduced into the United States in 1868.
Gypsy eat hundreds of other trees and shurb
species including oak, apple, alder, aspen,
basswood, birch, poplar, willow, hawthorn,
hemlock, tamarack (larch), pine, spruce, and
witch hazel.
Gypsy moth usually avoids ash, butternut,
black walnut, locust, sycamore, and yellow
poplar (tuliptree).
Damage
Tree damage is caused by the insect larvae, or
caterpillars, which emerge from their eggs
beginning in early spring and continuing
through mid-May.
As might be expected, a caterpillar’s appetite
increases with each moult. Feeding continues
until mid-June or early July when the
caterpillar enters the pupal stage emerging,
finally, as a moth.
What happens to female and male moths
Both male and female moths exist only
to reproduce once with the male moths
flying to find the females who are too
heavy to fly.
After the females lay their eggs from
July to September, depending on
location, moths of both sexes then die.
Work sited
www.Wikipedia.com
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Forestry/g
ypsymoth/index.aspx
http://www.gypsy-moth.com/