Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Family HEPIALIDAE (swift moths)
Eriocrania sparrmannella (Bosc) ( 470-471 )
Mines are formed in the leaves of birch ( Betula ) in June
and July, much later than those of other birch-feeding
eriocraniids. The mines are also characterized by the
presence of an initial narrow, linear gallery, which then
opens abruptly into an expansive, brown blotch. Adults
(10-13 mm wingspan) occur in May, and have golden,
purple-marked fore wings. The larvae (up to 10 mm
long) are whitish, with a small brown head.
Medium-sized moths, with vestigial mouthparts and
short antennae. The larvae are elongate, with well-
developed legs and crotchets on the abdominal prolegs
arranged into several concentric circles. Larvae are soil-
inhabiting and feed on the roots of various wild and
cultivated plants.
Hepialus lupulinus (Linnaeus) ( 472-473 )
syn. Korscheltellus lupulinus (Linnaeus)
Garden swift moth
A common horticultural pest, particularly in grassy sites
or in the vicinity of grassland. Larvae attack the roots of
various annual and perennial herbaceous plants, and
also damage bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers.
Infestations are most important on ornamentals such as
Anemone , bell flower ( Campanula ), Chrysanthemum ,
daffodil ( Narcissus ), Dahlia , Delphinium , Gladiolus ,
Iris , lily-of-the-valley ( Convallaria majalis ), lupin
( Lupinus ), Michaelmas daisy ( Aster ), peony ( Paeonia )
and Phlox . Widely distributed in Europe.
DESCRIPTION
Adult: 25-40 mm wingspan; fore wings yellowish
brown, variably marked with white (notably in male);
hind wings yellowish grey, darker in the male. Egg:
0.5 mm diameter, almost spherical; whitish when laid
but soon becoming black. Larva: up to 35 mm long;
white, shiny and translucent, the dark gut contents often
clearly visible; head and prothoracic plate light brown.
Pupa: 20 mm long; reddish brown; abdominal segments
with ventral projections and dentate dorsal ridges.
470
LIFE HISTORY
Adults fly at dusk in May and June, and occasionally
also in August and September, often skimming over
grassland, lawns and pastures in considerable numbers.
470 Mine of Eriocrania sparrmannella in leaf of Betula .
471
472
471 Larva of Eriocrania sparrmannella .
472 Male garden swift moth ( Hepialus lupulinus ).
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