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The Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD - formerly known as gypsy moth) is the most destructive forest insect pest to infest New Jersey's forests. Repeated defoliation by LDD represents a serious threat to New Jersey woodland and shade tree resources. 

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture promotes an integrated pest management approach, which encourages natural controls to reduce LDD feeding and subsequent tree loss. However, when LDD cycles are at a peak, natural controls have difficulty in preventing severe defoliation. In these special cases, the Department recommends aerial spray treatments on residential and recreational areas using the selective, non-chemical insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis.

The Department's LDD Suppression Program is a voluntary cooperative program involving New Jersey municipalities, county agencies, state agencies, and the USDA Forest Service.

The USDA's Self-Inspection LDD Checklist is available here.

In order to protect New Jersey's valuable forest resources, the Department conducts aerial defoliation and ground egg mass surveys, monitors the application and evaluates the efficacy of the spray material.