7/19/2023 0 Comments Gpsy housing boston![]() As a result, trees may not die until years after defoliation. Bad weather (especially drought), poor soil type, and low tree vigor also lead to tree mortality. Defoliated trees enter dormancy later, and are thus more prone to winter injury. This new flush of leaves uses most of the food reserves necessary for growth the following year. Hardwoods with more than 50% defoliation will usually re-foliate before fall. Defoliation weakens trees and increases the likelihood of attacks by fungi and other insects (secondary invaders). Healthy hardwoods generally require two or more years of heavy defoliation (61-100%) before they are killed. It takes softwoods several years to grow a full complement of needles, whereas hardwoods grow a full crown of leaves each year. Softwoods like hemlocks and pines are more likely to die after a single defoliation than hardwoods. Over story pines often escape complete defoliation and survive. Suppressed softwoods, often in the under story of hardwood stands, are much more likely to die than dominant trees. Though pure stands of softwoods are practically immune to defoliation, hemlocks and pines are especially vulnerable to mortality when mixed with oaks. Caterpillars will feed on many kinds of plants once the preferred trees in an area or stand are defoliated.ĭefoliation, and hence growth loss and tree mortality, are directly related to the percent of oak (the preferred host) in the stand. Less preferred species are ashes, maples, cherries, elms, beeches, and softwoods. Mortality:Spongy moth caterpillars prefer oaks, apples, birches, poplars, and willows. They attach to many objects including trees, buildings, rocks, and logs. ![]() Pupae: Pupae are dark brown and shaped like a conical cylinders ¾ to 1½” long. Larvae: CCaterpillars are brown-black and hairy, with six pairs of red dots and five pairs of blue dots on the back when mature. Clusters are mostly deposited on tree trunks and branches, but can also be found on stone walls, furniture, houses, and cars. They do not feed on foliage.Įggs: Egg masses are buff-colored, velvet-textured, and 1½” by ¾”. Moths are found from early July through August. Females are flightless males are good fliers and are often seen flying about in large numbers. DescriptionĪdults: Females are mostly white with a wingspread of 2” males are light tan to dark brown with a wingspread of 1½”. The spongy moth is an important defoliating insect of hardwoods in New Hampshire. Although these cycles are influenced by numerous factors, the low populations in New Hampshire in recent years generally are believed to be the result, at least in part, of a disease caused by the fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga. Unless areas are actively monitored even moderate populations can exist unnoticed. ![]() Spongy moth is an outbreak pest and can remain at low levels for several years and then numbers can rise every few years. A native of Europe and Asia, the spongy moth was introduced into North America in 1869 when specimens were accidentally released in Medford, Massachusetts. The spongy moth ( Lymantria dispar), adopted as a new common name is an important defoliating insect of hardwoods in New Hampshire.
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