The Spongy Moth's Life Cycle and Related Moths

The Spongy Moth

The spongy moth (formerly known as the gypsy moth) undergoes a complete metamorphosis - changing from egg to larva (caterpillar) to pupa to adult. 

Spongy moth eggs hatch generally between late April and mid-May. The larval, or caterpillar, stage typically lasts about 7 weeks. The larvae are most active during the months of May and June. The individual larvae become pupae in late June on into July and remain in this stage for 1 to 2 weeks. Adults emerge in late June through the middle part of July and can persist into August.

It is the caterpillar stage of the insect that is infamous for its appetite. Oaks are its first choice, but it readily consumes beech, birch, elm, maples, and most other hardwoods. During heavy infestations, it will also consume pine, spruce, and hemlock needles. It tends not to feed on ash and tulip poplar.

Spongy moth larva (first instar).

Spongy moth larva (late instar).

As it grows, the caterpillar molts 3 or 4 times. It needs to shed its skin in order to grow. The period between each molt is known as an instar. First instar larvae are very small and can be difficult to spot. Fourth and fifth instar larvae are very large, with an appetite to match their size. The majority of the defoliation is caused by these later instars.

Mating spongy moths.

Female spongy moths laying eggs.

Dead female spongy moths around the base of a tree.

Adult spongy moths do not feed. The adults live for about 2 weeks, for the sole purpose of reproducing. Though they cannot fly, adult females have wings. They are lighter in color than the males. Males can fly and are relentless in pursuit of females. Males have large, feathery antennae that pick up the scent of the pheromones released by the females.

Following mating, the female spongy moth lays between 600 to 1,000 eggs in a compact, tear-dropped shaped mass of eggs and silk. Females will place these egg masses in a wide range of places - out in the open, under bark flaps, on the sides of houses, under eaves, etc. Each female produces only one egg mass in her lifetime.

Males may mate multiple times. After the frenzy of mating, both the female and male moths die.

Related Moths

The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) that is in Connecticut is the European variety of the insect. Additionally, there are Asian and Japanese varieties, distinguished from one another as sub-species (L. dispar asiatica and L. dispar japonica). 

Asian gypsy moth larva

The Asian gypsy moth is of great concern, particularly in the western US and Canada. At least one accidental introduction is known, from a cargo ship in 1991. This introduction is believed to have been eradicated. The adult Asian female gypsy moth can fly, as can the male. This means that they have increased mobility, which raises the concern about its ability to spread rapidly once it is introduced into an area.

Nun moth adult female

The nun moth (L. monacha) is a close relative of the spongy moth. It looks and behaves very similarly to the spongy moth and is a pest of conifers in Europe and Asia. Inspectors are on constant alert regarding the potential for its entry into North America.

 
Brown-tail moth caterpillar

The brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) is a pest that goes into occasional outbreak status on the islands along the coast of Maine and on Cape Cod. It and the tussock moths, many of which are native, are in the same subfamily as the spongy moth. Spongy moth and the brown-tail moth share one common feature - the long hairs of the caterpillar stage can break off and become very irritating to humans.


Winter moth

Though not closely related to the spongy moth, the winter moth (Operophtera brumata) is of note in that it is in the process of becoming established in Connecticut. The damage caused by the winter moth is very similar to that caused by the spongy moth. So far, in Connecticut, this insect is mostly known along the shore of Long Island Sound and primarily towards the eastern part of the state. It is a major pest in Rhode Island and in the eastern parts of Massachusetts.

Additional Information

The Spongy Moth in Connecticut: An Overview
Outbreaks and Natural History
Information for Tree and Woodland Owners
A Brief History of the Spongy Moth

Content last updated in March 2022.