Ohio Gypsy Moth Decline?

[johnallin]

It just occurred to me this week that I didn't see one Gypsy Moth this season. Collecting up here in past years; they're all over the place. On trees, in bags, on tanks and the gator - but this year nothing and I mean zilch.

I take that as a good sign. Maybe we just had a bad infestation over here and it's cleared out. Anyone notice the same thing or is just me?

[wnybassman]

They may have migrated east lol

[johnallin]

From what I've read, they're moving west. Tons of them here in past years - but non this year...
I'm just glad (make that hoping) they're gone.

[heus]

John are you sure those are gypsy moths? I never heard that the moths we get toward the end of the season were gypsy moths. Anyways, I had very few this year, too.

[SlopYourDripper]

http://www.abundantnature.com/2012/03/sallow-maple-sap-thief.html

[heus]

Yes those are the moths I am referring to.

[johnallin]

John are you sure those are gypsy moths? I never heard that the moths we get toward the end of the season were gypsy moths. Anyways, I had very few this year, too.

Yes, well pretty sure they were, but none at all this year.

[wnybassman]

I had a period of time in February where I could count on at least one in every bucket, and up to six in one particular bucket.

[johnallin]

http://www.abundantnature.com/2012/03/sallow-maple-sap-thief.html

After looking at this; I don't think they were gypsy moths at all. This explains it. Thanks for the link SlopYourDripper.

[Russell Lampron]

I can't for the life of me remember what I was told those moths were called. I know it wasn't sallow moth. They were a regular visitor to my sap buckets when I used to hang buckets. I also used to see lightning bugs and snow fleas in my buckets. Now that I have subscribed to this thread I can post the name when I think of it.

[heus]

I can't for the life of me remember what I was told those moths were called. I know it wasn't sallow moth. They were a regular visitor to my sap buckets when I used to hang buckets. I also used to see lightning bugs and snow fleas in my buckets. Now that I have subscribed to this thread I can post the name when I think of it.
I think I have heard them called Millers moths.

[Russell Lampron]

I think I have heard them called Millers moths.

Yeah that was the name. Thank you.

[karl evans]

If you didn't figure it out yet, look for those Gypsy caterpillers about early June. A red & blue stripe I think. After their favorite oak, they will enjoy sugar maple leafs. Had em real bad about 15 years ago. Last couple years their numbers have been increasing each summer. When they seem to reach a big population they get diseased & population falls then starts over again.

[johnallin]

Thank you Karl and all the rest.
This has been an informative thread.