Gypsy Moth (Female) - Lymantria dispar
Female gypsy moths are flightless, but they attract males by releasing pheromones from a small gland near the tip of her abdomen. Even though she can't eat, she will live for about a week, with a reproductive window for about 2 of those days. Despite this short period, most females will successfully mate. Females lay approximately 500 eggs that are then coated with tiny hairs to protect from weather and predators. The hairs are irritating, so don't touch if you find any! In this photo, the female is guarding her eggs.
Habitat: Deciduous tree bordering a meadow
Lymantria dispar, the gypsy moth, are moths in the family Erebidae. Lymantria dispar covers many subspecies, subspecies identification such as L. d. dispar or L. d. japonica leaves no ambiguity in identification. Lymantria dispar subspecies have a range which covers in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and South America.
