Field Estimation of Fecundity of Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

A method for rapid field estimation of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), fecundity was developed and validated. A log-transformed linear regression (y = 1.58x + 0.29) was used to estimate number of eggs per mass from egg-mass length over a range of 8–54 mm in length and a range in fecundity of 26–1,509 eggs per mass (r2 = 0.71). The model was tested against two independent data sets and data were pooled to produce parameter estimates that are independent of insect density, year, and locale.