According to the DATCP, the Gypsy Moth population in Wisconsin is on the rise.
The Gypsy Moth is an invasive pest that has been spreading westward since its introduction to North America in 1869.
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of many species of trees and shrubs, especially oaks, and can cause severe leaf loss when feeding in large numbers.
The DATCP reports that they caught just shy of 100,000 moths in 10,787 traps in Wisconsin this summer as part of the federal Slow the Spread Gypsy Moth Program.
They use trapping to help track the size and location of moth populations. In 2021, the DATCP treated about 88,977 acres across 14 counties.
For more information on how you can help battle these invasive insects, either call 1-800-642-MOTH (6684) or visit GypsyMoth.WI.gov.
