Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
596
Diurnea fagella
(Denis & Schiffermüller)
(
596-598
)
A generally abundant woodland species, attacking
various ornamental trees and shrubs, including beech
(
Fagus sylvatica
), birch (
Betula
), crab-apple (
Malus
),
hazel (
Corylus
), oak (
Quercus
) and willow (
Salix
).
Widely distributed in Europe; also present in Asia
Minor.
DESCRIPTION
Adult female:
18-20 mm wingspan, but wings much
reduced and pointed; fore wings whitish, suffused to a
greater or lesser degree with brownish black and
bearing blackish and buff scale tufts; hind wings greyish
to brownish black; palps long.
Adult male:
25-28 mm
wingspan; coloration similar to female.
Larva:
up to
18 mm long; pale, dull yellowish green, with yellowish
intersegmental markings; head light brown; prothoracic
plate mainly yellowish, with a pair of brown lateral
markings; third pair of thoracic legs fleshy and
projecting well beyond width of body.
Pupa:
10 mm
long; brown; cremaster with a cluster of long, hooked
setae.
596
Female of
Diurnea fagella
.
597
LIFE HISTORY
Adults appear in March and April. The females,
although incapable of flight, are very active and crawl
with considerable speed if disturbed. Eggs are laid on
various hosts, the larvae then feeding from June to
October in spun or, occasionally, rolled leaves. Fully fed
larvae spin cocoons amongst debris on the ground. The
winter is passed in the pupal stage.
597
Male of
Diurnea fagella
.
598
DAMAGE
Damage is rarely extensive and usually limited to loss
of a few leaves.
598
Larva of
Diurnea fagella
.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search