Station 16: Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Damage

The many dead oak trees in this area resulted from an infestation of gypsy moth caterpillars from 2016-2019. Region-wide infestations by the caterpillars occur cyclically; the previous one was in the early 1980’s. A fungus and virus killed most the caterpillars in this area almost instantaneously in June 2019.The many dead oak trees in this area resulted from an infestation of gypsy moth caterpillars from 2016-2019. Region-wide infestations by the caterpillars occur cyclically; the previous one was in the early 1980’s. A fungus and virus killed most the caterpillars in this area almost instantaneously in June 2019.