Caterpillars that are not the gypsy moth caterpillar. Some forest Lepidoptera in Florida (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae, Lasiocampidae, Lymantriidae).

INTRODUCTION: The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), is not known to be established in Florida even though one or more life stages have been observed in 49 counties (1971-1991). Most gypsy moth detections are male moths caught in pheromone traps. As the gypsy moth-infested areas approach Florida, residents will become more aware of the gypsy moth threat In aqdition, they will more frequently question whether a caterpillar in their tree is a gypsy moth caterpillar. Several forest caterpillars (Figs. 1-4) that may be mistaken for the gypsy moth caterpillar (Fig. 5) are shown below and described in the accompanying text. FDACS-DPI Entomology Circular No.270 describes the gypsy moth in detail (Dixon and Foltz 1985).