Invasion biology of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.)) at a northern range boundary in Minnesota

Abstract

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is an invasive defoliator capable of consuming over 300 species of trees. Its North American range now extends north of North Carolina, and west to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Gypsy moth populations in Minnesota have a unique genetic signature, and male moths have been caught for the past 15 years despite low predicted climatic suitability in northern areas of the state. Here, I study the invasion biology of the gypsy moth in Minnesota. I characterize the spatiotemporal patterns in the occurrence of genotypes and assess if there is any evidence of association with putative movement pathways. I also investigate how severe winter conditions may reduce the number male moths captured in the subsequent summer, and test whether egg mass winter mortality is a plausible explanation for such reductions.