Animal

Lymantria dispar

Moths of genus Lymantria in the family Erebidae, order Lepidoptera. European-origin subspecies Lymantria dispar dispar was formerly known as gypsy moth and accidentally released in Medford, Massachusetts. Now they are called spongy moths and have spread to many states from Virginia to Michigan and pockets of California. Spongy moth caterpillars cause severe defoliation of oaks and other trees and shrubs. LYMANTRIA DISPAR is a group of related Asian-origin subspecies moths known to cause more extensive damage in its native range because its females are active fliers unlike spongy moths of European origin. FSMC includes Lymantria dispar asiatica, L. d. japonica, L. albescens, L. umbrosa, and L. postalba.