You are here: Home» NZFFA Library» Forest Management» Forest Health, Pests and Diseases» Forestry pests» Lymantria dispar, Asian gypsy moth, spongy moth» Common name change for gypsy moth


PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND

Common name change for gypsy moth

Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.

From Forest Health News 307, April 2022

The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a well-known invasive species that became part of the Better Common Names Project led by the Entomological Society of America. The term “gypsy” is considered an ethnic slur. The official new common name is the spongy moth, in reference to the physical appearance of its egg batches, which is already the common name used in France and French-speaking Canada. We applaud the removal of this slur from use.

Andrew Pugh, Scion

This information is intended for general interest only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site.
(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)

(top)

Farm Forestry - Headlines

Article archive »