Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Lycia hirtaria
(Clerck) (
772-773
)
Brindled beauty moth
A widely distributed species. Larvae attack the foliage
of various trees and shrubs, including alder (
Alnus
),
beech (
Fagus sylvatica
), crab-apple (
Malus
), elm
(
Ulmus
), hawthorn (
Crataegus
) and lime (
Tilia
), and
often occur on garden ornamentals and nursery stock.
Larvae are large (up to 55 mm long), stout-bodied,
purplish grey to reddish brown (the latter colour also
forming wavy lines down the back), marked with dark
speckles; there is also a yellow crossline just behind the
head, and yellow spots on several of the abdominal
segments. They feed from May to July, and then pupate
in the soil. The rather hairy, greyish to blackish,
ochreous-marked adults (40-45 mm wingspan) appear
in March and April.
Menophra abruptaria
(Thunberg) (
774-775
)
syn.
Hemerophila abruptaria
(Thunberg)
Waved umber moth
The mainly greyish-brown, stick-like larvae (up to
40 mm long) of this widely distributed and locally
common species feed from May to August on jasmine
(
Jasminum
), lilac (
Syringa
), privet (
Ligustrum vulgare
),
rose (
Rosa
) and certain other garden ornamentals.
However, they are not of importance as pests. Pupation
occurs in a shallow depression formed by the larva on a
branch of the host plant, the pupa hidden within a
cocoon camouflaged by masticated fragments of
bark. Adults (35-40 mm wingspan) are pale to whitish
ochreous, suffused with brown. They occur in April
and May.
772
773
772
Larva of brindled beauty moth (
Lycia hirtaria
).
773
Male brindled beauty moth (
Lycia hirtaria
).
774
775
774
Larva of waved umber moth (
Menophra abruptaria
).
775
Male waved umber moth (
Menophra abruptaria
).
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