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From Europe to the Americas: How is Lymantria dispar spreading globally and changing ecosystems?
Lymantria dispar, commonly known as the gypsy moth or sponge moth, is a species of moth native to Europe and Asia. Its larvae are capable of growing on a variety of broadleaf and coniferous trees and causing severe tree damage in years of heavy breeding. Due to its ecological impact, Lymantria dispar is listed as one of the 100 most invasive alien species in the world.
The moth's life cycle and its status as an invasive species pose significant challenges to ecosystems.
Name source
The origin of the name "gypsy moth" is not certain, but there are records of the name being used as early as 1832. The genus name Lymantria means "destroyer" and dispar refers to the sexual difference between males and females. In 2021, the Entomological Society decided to remove the name "Gypsy Moth" as offensive to some groups, and in 2022 proposed the use of "Sponge Moth" as an alternative name to reflect the spongy appearance of its egg masses. .
Taxonomy
The Lymantria dispar moths of Europe and North America are thought to belong to the same subspecies, Lymantria dispar dispar. This species confusion stems from taxonomic divergence in the subspecies, particularly between the different varieties in the United States and Asia.
Due to its ability to fly, its classification is inconsistently understood in some regions.
Subspecies and their distribution
The European subspecies (Lymantria dispar dispar) has been introduced to the United States and Canada since the 19th century, while the Asian subspecies (Lymantria dispar asiatica) has appeared on the west coast of North America since the 1990s. With the development of global climate change and trade, the distribution range of Lymantria dispar continues to expand and may have long-term impacts on local ecology.
Biological control measures
Lymantria dispar was accidentally imported to North America in 1869 by the artist and astronomer Étienne Lepore Trouvelot, who was looking for a source of silk floss for cultivation. Currently, a variety of biological control methods have been incorporated into control strategies, but due to a lack of adequate management and research, the effectiveness of these measures is still limited. Certain species such as the takini fly (Compsilura concinnata) not only fail to effectively control L. dispar, but also cause damage to other native insects.
Many introduced natural enemy species eventually become general predators in the ecosystem, affecting the survival of native species.
Current situation in the United States
According to a report in Scientific American, as of 2024, the northeastern and midwestern regions of the United States are facing an unprecedented outbreak of Lymantria dispar. The report pointed out that the number of larvae per hectare in some areas even exceeded 2.5 million, which is an ecological warning. Faced with its expanding scope and resulting forest loss, the local government allocates US$30 million annually to control it. However, climate change is exacerbating this crisis, causing its spread to increase in speed and frequency.
As Lymantria dispar continues to spread, the balance of the original ecosystem may be overturned. Can we really find effective control solutions to protect our forests?
The challenge of eliminating Lymantria dispar is not only managing its numbers, but also maintaining the harmony of the entire ecosystem. As the global environment changes, how will future prevention and control strategies be adjusted to deal with this ongoing ecological challenge?
