Miller, Jeffrey C.; Hanson, Paul E. 1989. Laboratory studies on development of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), larvae on foliage of gymnosperms. The Canadian Entomologist. 121(6): 425-429.
The development of gypsy moth larvae was monitored in the laboratory on the foliageof 39 species belonging to 18 genera in the Araucaraceae, Cupressaceae, Ginkgoaceae,Pinaceae, Taxaceae, and Taxodiaceae. Larval survival through successive molts, timeof larval development, live female pupal weights, and adult female production of ovawere measured as indicators of host plant suitability for the gypsy moth. The criteriafor distinguishing the most suitable hosts were as follows: (1) greater than 80% survivalof first-instar larvae, (2) development to pupation in less than 41 days, (3) female pupalweights over 1099 mg, and (4) the production of more than 350 ova. The most suitablespecies were in the Pinaceae, in particular, Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex Lamb.) G. Don,Larix decidua Mill., and Picea pungens Engelm. The least suitable species were in theCupressaceae, Ginkgoaceae, and Taxaceae. First-, second-, and third-instar larvae oftendiffered in their ability to survive on new foliage compared with foliage from theprevious year. Overall, first-instar larvae successfully developed into adults on 20 ofthe species tested but second-instar larvae developed into adults on 29 of the speciestested. First- through fourth- or fifth-instar larvae failed to develop into adults on eightof the species tested.