Plots of 0.01 ha and 0.04 ha (fixed-radius) and 10-prism and 20-prism basal area factor (BAF) (fixed- and variable-radius) were evaluated in relation to their efficiency for sampling gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar(L.), egg masses (GMEM) in 14 predominantly oak woodlots on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Relative order of reliability for each sampling method varied with GMEM density. No difference in precision was seen between 10- prism and 20-prism BAF plots; however, the 20 BAF plot required 40% less time to survey. An analysis of cost and precision showed the 0.01-ha plots to be clearly superior to the other sampling methods throughout the range of GMEM densities evaluated. Based on a sample unit size of 0.01 ha, GMEM dispersion patterns were analyzed by Iwao's regression technique. Analysis indicated that egg masses were contagiously distributed, with single egg masses forming the basic component of the population. Parameters for the mean crowding and mean density regression were used to develop research-oriented and pest management-oriented sequential sampling plans with fixed levels of precision.