Lymantria dispar, known as the gypsy moth and, in the United States, as the spongy moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae native to Europe and Asia. It is subdivided into several subspecies, including L. d. dispar and L. d. japonica, which are clearly distinguishable from one another. The species has been introduced to several continents and is now an invasive species in Africa, North America and South America, where its polyphagous larvae feed on a wide variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and can cause severe damage during years of mass reproduction; it is listed among the world's 100 worst invasive alien species.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleInvasive or Introduced Species 4 Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceMales have feathery antennae, while females have thin antennae. 1 Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Lymantria dispar (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikipedia, Lymantria dispar dispar
Adults sectionQuote, Adults section
Males have feathery antennae versus the thin antennae of females.
View the Source 2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Lymantria dispar
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyPrimary Diet, Lymantria dispar
Primary Diet herbivore herbivore
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
View the Source 3. GBIF Species API
4. Wikipedia, Spongy moth
Lead paragraph, first sentenceQuote, Lead paragraph, first sentence
Lymantria dispar, also known as the gypsy moth, and in the United States, the spongy moth, is a species of moth
View the Source 5. NatureServe Explorer: Lymantria dispar
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
View the Source 6. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (IUCN Red List category): IUCN Red List category of Lymantria dispar
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (IUCN Red List category)iucnRedListCategory recordQuote, iucnRedListCategory record
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
View the Source IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Wikidata: Gypsy Moth
- Wikidata Q45532, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Erebidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the SourceLymantria dispar (Wikipedia)
In Biome: Temperate Forest, Habitat: Temperate ForestQuote, In Biome: Temperate Forest, Habitat: Temperate Forest
is native to temperate forests in western Europe.
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