Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 477

The etymology of the term "gypsy moth" is not definitively known, but it has been in use since 1908. Moths of the Lymantriinae subfamily are also known as tussock moths due to the tufts of hair on their caterpillars. The name Lymantria dispar comes from two Latin-derived words, with Lymantria meaning "destroyer" and dispar meaning "to separate" in reference to sexual dimorphism. The term "gypsy moth" has been removed from the Entomological Society of America's list due to its offensiveness, and a new common name, "spongy moth," has been proposed based on the French name for the species. The North American and European populations of Lymantria dispar are considered the same subspecies. Several species of parasitoids and predators have been introduced to North America as biological control agents for the moth, with microbial pathogens being the most effective control agents.