Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
696
Ptycholomoides aeriferanus (Herrich-
Schäffer) ( 696 )
A minor pest of larch ( Larix ) in central and south-
eastern Europe. Also present in Russia and Japan.
Recorded in England in 1951, where it has since
become widely distributed. Larvae feed in May and
June, spinning a few needles together as a shelter. Fully
grown individuals are green, with a light brown head
and a yellowish-brown prothoracic plate. Adults
(17-21 mm wingspan) occur from late June to August;
the fore wings are pale golden yellow, suffused with
dark brown and marked with brownish black; the hind
wings are dark brown.
696 Adult of Ptycholomoides aeriferanus .
Rhopobota naevana (Hübner) ( 697-698 )
Holly tortrix moth
larva
697
holly leaf tier
A generally common pest of trees and shrubs, including
crab-apple ( Malus ) and hawthorn ( Crataegus ), and
often present in parks and gardens; at least in the wild,
most abundant on European holly ( Ilex aquifolium ).
Eurasiatic; also present in North America. Widely
distributed in Europe.
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DESCRIPTION
Adult: 12-15 mm wingspan; fore wings notched below
the apex, dark grey, marked with blackish and dark
reddish brown, and with several whitish striae on the
front margin; hind wings grey. Egg: 0.7
697 Holly tortrix moth ( Rhopobota naevana ).
0.5 mm; flat
and oval; whitish and translucent, becoming yellowish
to reddish. Larva: up to 12 mm long; oily, yellowish
green to greenish brown; head, prothoracic plate and
anal plate brown; anal comb usually with two dark
teeth; thoracic legs brown. Pupa: 5-7 mm long;
yellowish brown; tip with four thorn-like spines and a
small bump behind the anal slit.
×
698
LIFE HISTORY
This species overwinters as eggs laid singly on the
smooth bark of trunks and branches. The eggs hatch in
the spring. Larvae then feed within a tightly webbed
shelter of young, tender leaves; on certain hosts they
also feed within spun blossom trusses. Feeding is
completed in June, each larva pupating in a white
cocoon formed in a folded leaf or amongst dead leaves
or debris on the ground. Adults emerge about three
weeks later. Eggs are deposited in July and August.
698 Holly leaf tier ( Rhopobota naevana ).
DAMAGE
Larvae destroy young leaves and are particularly
harmful when present on the new growth of clipped
holly hedges.
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