Gypsy moth egg-mass density and subsequent defoliation

Abstract

The relationship between insect density and subsequent defoliation is usually important among the many factors involved in deciding if, when, and where to take control action against a defoliator such as the gypsy moth. Unfortunately, the proportion of the foliage that will be removed by a defoliator in any given place and year depends not only upon the number of insects that are present, but also upon a number of other variables. Thus a particular insect density does not determine a particular defoliation level. Rather, an array of defoliation levels may result from that density; and all that one can say, unless he has quantified these other determining variables, is that each particular defoliation level within this array will have a particular probability of occurrence.

Citation

Campbell, Robert W. 1966. Gypsy moth egg-mass density and subsequent defoliation. Research Note NE-44. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 1-6