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The Gypsy Moths is a 1969 American drama film, based on the 1955 novel of the same name by James Drought and directed by John Frankenheimer. The film tells the story of three barnstorming skydivers and their effect on a Midwestern American town, focusing on the differences in values between the town folk and the hard-living skydivers.
The Gypsy Moths: Directed by John Frankenheimer. With Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Gene Hackman, Scott Wilson. Three skydivers and their travelling thrill show barnstorm through a small midwestern town one Fourth of July weekend.
- (2.5K)
- Action, Drama, Romance
- John Frankenheimer
- 1969-09-03
The Gypsy Moths. Action. 107 minutes ‧ R ‧ 1969. Roger Ebert. November 17, 1969. 3 min read. John Frankenheimer’s “The Gypsy Moths” is not a successful movie but is neither a bad one. He goes about telling his story in the right way, but all the same he doesn’t pull it off.
- What are they?
- Should I be concerned?
- How do I know if I have a problem?
- How can I get rid of gypsy moths?
Gypsy moths are destructive pests. They get their name from their ability to travel by attaching to various objects. They appear in late July or August. Males are greyish brown and can fly and survive about one week, mating with several different females. Females are larger and whitish with darker zigzag marks. The female cannot fly and dies shortly after laying her eggs.
Gypsy moth caterpillars (larvae) change looks as they grow. Young caterpillars are black or brown and about .6 cm (.24 inches) in length. As they grow, bumps develop along their backs with coarse black hairs. The caterpillar is easily recognizable in the later part of this stage: charcoal grey with a double row of five blue and six red dots on its back. Feeding ends by early July, and mature caterpillars can be as long as 6.35 cm (2.5 inches).
Did you know?
The gypsy moth is found mainly in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces. These moths were accidentally introduced into Massachusetts in 1869 by a French naturalist trying to cross the European gypsy moth with North American silkworms. The French naturalist was trying to create a silk industry on this continent. Some of the insects escaped, and have since established themselves in Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. The Asian gypsy moth, first found in the Vancouver area in the spring of 1991, was unknowingly brought into Canada on Soviet freighters. Leaves play a major role in food production for trees, converting light into food by photosynthesis. Reducing the leaf surface available to capture sunlight causes a loss in food production. Deciduous trees can sometimes produce a second crop of leaves, but after repeated defoliation, trees may die or become so weakened that they are vulnerable to secondary infestations. Evergreens may die after only one defoliation. The gypsy moth has been found on approximately 500 species of trees. They prefer broad-leaved trees, mainly red and white oak, poplar, and white birch. The destruction of oaks affects forest wildlife, especially deer that depend on oak acorns for part of their diet. The acorns provide nutrition needed to survive harsh winter conditions. The discovery of the Asian gypsy moth strain in Canada has raised new concerns. The Asian gypsy moth prefers coniferous trees, is better adapted to colder climates, and the female is able to fly. These traits make the Asian gypsy moth a serious threat to Canadian forests.
The gypsy moth hibernates in egg masses that are covered with tan or buff-coloured hairs, and may be found on tree trunks or bark, outdoor furniture, or the sides of buildings.
The egg masses are about the size of a loonie, and may contain from 100 to 1,000 eggs. You can tell how bad the infestation is by the size of the egg mass. When populations are on the decline, egg masses tend to be smaller, about the size of a dime. Larger egg masses are a sign of stable or growing populations.
Egg masses
Gypsy moths spread easily, as the young larvae can be carried by wind currents for a distance of up to one kilometre. More commonly, however, they hitch a ride (mainly egg masses) on objects like vehicles, tents, trailers, and lawn chairs to infest new areas. Vacationers, especially campers, should be aware of this and should check their equipment before moving on. It is important to be thorough when looking for egg masses as they can be difficult to locate. Common hiding places include: the underside of branches tree trunks fences firewood outdoor furniture swing sets, boats trailers under the eaves of buildings When an egg mass is found, it should be scraped off with a knife and dropped into a bucket filled with hot water and household bleach or ammonia. Remove picnic tables, swing sets, and lawn furniture from around the bases of trees, because these objects provide the insects with protection from the heat of the sun.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars and pupae can be handpicked and crushed. The long hairs of the caterpillar can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. To be safe, wear gloves when handling them. Caterpillars can be successfully trapped. To make a trap, wrap a 45-cm (roughly 17-inch) wide strip of burlap around the tree trunk at chest height. Tie a string around the centre of the burlap and fold the upper portion down to form a skirt, with the string acting as a belt. The caterpillars will crawl under the burlap to escape the sun and become trapped. Later in the day, lift the burlap. Pick off the caterpillars and dispose of them.
Biological control
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) is a selective biological insecticide that controls caterpillars. Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki crystals release a toxic protein when dissolved in the alkaline digestive system of the insect. The caterpillar stops feeding soon after, and dies within five days. Other insects, mammals, birds, and fish are not affected by Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki. The small wasp (Encyrtidae family), introduced in eastern North America in 1909 as a parasite of the gypsy moth egg, is now commonly found throughout the area and has become an important biological control of the gypsy moth.
Three men who work in a skydiving performance group -- burned-out Mike (Burt Lancaster), outgoing showman Joe (Gene Hackman) and rookie Malcolm (Scott Wilson) -- find work...
- (19)
- John Frankenheimer
- R
- Burt Lancaster
The Gypsy Moths (1969) - Turner Classic Movies. Overview. Synopsis. Credits. Photos & Videos. Film Details. Articles & Reviews. Notes. Brief Synopsis. A trio of barnstorming skydivers finds love and heartache at one small-town stop. Cast & Crew. Read More. John Frankenheimer. Director. Burt Lancaster. Mike Rettig. Deborah Kerr. Elizabeth Brandon.
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