Less than 1% of all insect species are considered “pests”! Of these, approximately 40% are exotic or invasive species in the United States. Each year millions of dollars are spent to control insects. Gypsy moth, Japanese beetle, and emerald ash borer are invasive insect species that are problematic in the United States.

Gypsy moth presents as challenge in that it is not only a pest in the urban landscape, but it too causes damage in forest ecosystem as well. Gypsy moth is know to feed on over 300 plant species, however oak (Quercus spp.) are especially preferred. The caterpillar stage is the primarily the destructive life stage, however the egg masses, pupal cases (cocoons), and adults are often considered a nuisance. Gypsy moth caterpillars are fairly easy to control. Most contact insecticides provide excellent control, however, the difficulty is the placement or application of the control agent. During their first few caterpillar stages, gypsy moth spends the majority (day and night) of its time in the canopy of the trees. Thus, depending on the tree height, application may be difficult. Once the gypsy moth caterpillars begin to develop and mature, they take-on a different behavior whereby they are only active at night. Smaller, younger caterpillars are typically easier to control, this is especially true for biologically based insecticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki also know as Btk. Another, alternative control strategy is destroying gypsy moth egg masses. Egg masses can be destroyed using Golden Pest Spray Oil (GPSO), GPSO is directly applied to the egg masses, a procedure called “oiling.” GPSO acts as a suffocant, not allowing the egg to hatch.