The daily movement of migrating Lymantria dispar (L.) larvae towards the base of a tree at dawn each day to seek shelter and the inter-tree movement of late-instar larvae are important aspects of this species’ biology. This poster describes the effect of the colour of burlap bands (black versus naturally coloured burlap or tan) affixed to red oak, Quercus rubra (L.) and how it influences selection of larval resting site, pupation site and egg mass counts. In field experiments involving burlap bands composed of half black and half tan coloured burlap, the mean number of larvae, the mean pupal counts and the mean egg mass counts were significantly greater under the black section of burlap. Individual burlap bands composed of either black or tan burlap affixed to separate trees produced similar significant results for larval and pupal counts. When two burlap bands composed of opposite colours (black versus tan) were affixed to the same tree, significantly more larvae were found under the upper band, regardless of colour. On the other hand, the mean number of pupae and egg masses under the black bands were significantly greater, regardless of band position. It is concluded that the colour of a burlap band affects the choice of gypsy moth larval resting sites, pupation sites and egg mass deposition and that black is preferred by larvae over tan.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Lymantriidae Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth)
Keywords: burlap bands
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