Estimation of Male Mating Potential of Gypsy Moths 1 with Disparlure Baited Traps

Estimation of gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar (L.) male mating potential has been made using box-type disparlure-baited traps. This potential, estimated by the reciprocal of the time elapsed before virgin females mated during the natural gypsy moth flight, was proportional to 22-h trap catches. Seasonal trap catches tended to be proportional to population as estimated by counts of pupae under burlap bands, with estimates adjusted for numbers of oak trees in 0.1-ha plots. Trap catches were highest when traps were adjacent to large trees and 1.5 m or less above the ground.