Farm Forestry New Zealand
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.)
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