You’ll Never Find Another Gypsy Moth In Illinois But Not Because They’re Dying

The European Gypsy Moth can be a real nuisance in Illinois. Why? Because Illinois has a lot of green and a lot of trees, all of which are favorite snacks for gypsy moths. They are a real nuisance. They are also ugly, in my opinion.

I would love for this article to include the point that the destructive caterpillars are quickly going extinct and will no longer be disgusting tree killers but that is not the case. Nope, they'll still be around but, like a professional wrestler, they are getting a name change. So, with the name change, you'll technically never see a gypsy moth again in a few months.

Before we get to why the name change is coming, did you know there is a group that names bugs? I did not know this but it makes sense. This group is the Entomological Society of America.

According to the group's website,

The Entomological Society of America was founded in 1889 and today has more than 7,000 members, including educators, extension personnel, consultants, students, researchers, and scientists from agricultural departments, health agencies, private industries, colleges and universities, and state and federal governments.

WHAT'S THE REASON?

The Entomological Society of America (ESA) has made name changes to but in the past but for not this reason. In the past it has been because the bugs' names were scientifically incorrect. But in this instance, according to MyStateline, more changes are likely to come for an entirely different reason.

The ESA is review the names of thousands of bugs to be sure none of them are insensitive or "derogatory." The group also wants to be sure the names are geographically correct, according to the news report.

WHAT WILL THE NEW NAME BE?

The new name for the European Gypsy Moth will be.... we won't know for a while because renaming a bug is a multi-month process.

[h/t MyStateline]