Asian gypsy moths are closely related to the “normal” European gypsy moth but with a broader host range and much more mobile females. The two “strains” look so much alike that the only way to conclusively distinguish them is to analyze DNA. Thus far molecular analysis of gypsy moths in upstate New York feeding on spruce (especially blue spruce) but causing little or no damage to their usual deciduous host trees growing nearby, has indicated that moths on spruce are not the Asian strain.