Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Smerinthus ocellata (
Linnaeus) (
805-806
)
Eyed hawk moth
Generally distributed and locally common. The larvae
feed on crab-apple (
Malus
) and willow (
Salix
), and are
often associated with nursery stock and young garden
trees. They feed during July and August, rapidly
defoliating the branches. Larvae (60-70 mm long when
fully grown) are mainly green, with seven oblique white
stripes along the sides and a bluish caudal horn. The
adults (75-85 mm wingspan), which occur from May to
July, have mainly greyish-brown to brown fore wings;
the hind wings are brown, suffused with red, each with
a large, eye-like mark.
DESCRIPTION
Adult:
100-120 mm wingspan; fore wings mainly
greyish brown to blackish brown, with black markings,
and pinkish tinged basally; hind wings pale pinkish
white, with broad, blackish bands; thorax black, with
whitish tegulae; abdomen yellowish brown, with pink
and black crossbands.
Larva:
up to 80 mm long; mainly
green, with seven oblique white, purple-edged stripes on
each side; caudal horn black above and yellow below.
LIFE HISTORY
Moths occur in June and July, depositing eggs singly on
the leaves and stems of host plants. The larvae feed on the
foliage during July and August. Fully grown individuals
enter the soil to pupate, burrowing down well below the
surface before excavating a suitable chamber. Although
adults normally emerge in the followings summer, the
pupal stage sometimes extends over two winters.
Sphinx ligustri
Linnaeus (
807-808
)
Privet hawk moth
Associated with ash (
Fraxinus excelsior
), lilac (
Syringa
),
privet (
Ligustrum vulgare
) and snowberry
(
Symphoricarpos rivularis
); other hosts, at least in
mainland Europe, include elder (
Sambucus
),
Forsythia
and
Viburnum
. Palaearctic. Widely distributed in Europe.
DAMAGE
Larvae rapidly defoliate shoots but, as the number of
individuals present is usually small, damage caused is
of no importance.
805
806
805
Larva of eyed hawk moth (
Smerinthus ocellata
).
806
Eyed hawk moth (
Smerinthus ocellata
).
808
807
807
Privet hawk moth (
Sphinx ligustri
).
808
Larva of privet hawk moth (
Sphinx ligustri
).
Search WWH ::
Custom Search