Outbreak Causes A Gypsy Moth Infestation, MA, CT, RI, USA story
Forests
Wildlife
The current gypsy moth outbreak is thought to be the result of a series of unusually dry springs in 2014, 2015, and 2016, which suppressed a fungus that keeps the moth population in check. The fungus (known as Entomophaga maimaiga in the scientific world) infects the caterpillars and causes high rates of mortality. However, researchers believe that during this outbreak, low precipitation during key periods in the gypsy moth life cycle resulted in lower amounts of this fungus, so the fungus was not as effective and the moth population was not kept in check.
A healthy tree can survive a defoliation by the caterpillars. It can usually produce new leaves in the same growing season. However, consecutive years of caterpillar attacks can cause tree mortality.
Location
July 11, 2015, Landsat 8 (path/row 12/31) — gypsy moth infestation near Windham, CT, USA
July 13, 2016, Landsat 8 (path/row 12/31) — gypsy moth infestation near Windham, CT, USA
July 16, 2017, Landsat 8 (path/row 12/31) — gypsy moth infestation near Windham, CT, USA
July 19, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 12/31) — gypsy moth infestation near Windham, CT, USA
Gypsy Moth Infestation, MA, CT, RI, USA Additional Imagery & Stories
Damage
Gypsy moth caterpillars devour the leaves of hardwood trees, causing the greatest damage in late June as the larvae reach maturity. The caterpillars a...
How Landsat Helps
Landsat data can track the spread of the outbreak and monitor defoliation. Comparing newly acquired Landsat observations with long-term average condit...
Springfield
The overall severity of gypsy moth defoliation was less in 2018, but the impacts on forest condition are still evident as both new defoliation and tre...