Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Family
NOCTUIDAE
Acronicta aceris
(Linnaeus) (
858-859
)
Sycamore moth
The colourful larvae of this locally common species are
associated mainly with horse chestnut (
Aesculus
hippocastanum
), and they often occur on such trees in
urban areas. They also feed on other hosts, including
sycamore (
Acer pseudoplatanus
),
Laburnum
, lime
(
Tilia
) and rose (
Rosa
). Adults (40-45 mm wingspan)
are mainly whitish to light grey, with blackish-marked
fore wings and whitish hind wings. Larvae are
c
. 35 mm
long when fully grown; the body, which bears long tufts
of yellow or reddish hairs, is mainly yellowish brown,
with a distinct series of white, black-bordered marks
along the back. Adults occur from June to July or early
August, and the larvae from July to September.
A large family of mostly medium-sized, stout-bodied,
dull-coloured moths, often with a kidney-shaped mark
(reniform stigma) and a small circle on each fore wing
(this pattern is sometimes highlighted). The larvae of
most species have five pairs of abdominal prolegs but
groups with a reduced number also occur; crotchets are
of one size (uniordinal), arranged in a half-circle.
Acronicta psi
(Linnaeus) (
856-857
)
Grey dagger moth
A generally common but minor pest of trees and shrubs,
including alder (
Alnus
), birch (
Betula
),
Cotoneaster
,
crab-apple (
Malus
), flowering cherry (
Prunus
),
hawthorn (
Crataegus
), lime (
Tilia
), ornamental pear
(
Pyrus calleryana
'Chanticleer'), rose (
Rosa
), rowan
(
Sorbus aucuparia
) and willow-leaved pear (
Pyrus
salicifolia
); larvae also feed on herbaceous plants.
Eurasiatic. Widely distributed in Europe.
Acronicta alni
(Linnaeus) (
860-861
)
Alder moth
A widely distributed but local species, the larvae
feeding in July and August on the foliage of various
trees and shrubs, including alder (
Alnus
), beech (
Fagus
sylvatica
), birch (
Betula
), elm (
Ulmus
), flowering
cherry (
Prunus
), lime (
Tilia
), maple (
Acer
), poplar
(
Populus
), rose (
Rosa
),
Sorbus
and willow (
Salix
). The
larvae usually occur singly, often resting fully exposed
on the upper surface of a leaf. They are sometimes
noticed on garden trees or nursery stock, their striking
and unusual appearance immediately attracting
attention, but they cause little damage and are of no
consequence. Older individuals (up to 35 mm long) are
black and yellow, with distinctive spatulate body hairs.
The mainly grey, brownish-grey and blackish-marked
adults (32-40 mm wingspan) appear in May and June.
DESCRIPTION
Adult:
38-42 mm wingspan; fore wings light grey, with
black markings; hind wings greyish.
Larva:
up to
35 mm long; greyish black, with a broad, white stripe
along either side and a broad yellow dorsal band, the
latter bordered by a blue stripe (interrupted by red,
black-edged spots); a prominent, black, pointed hump
on the first abdominal segment and a small black hump
on the eighth; head black.
Pupa:
15 mm long; brown
and rather slender, tapering towards the tip; cremaster
with several strong spines.
LIFE HISTORY
Adults are present from late May onwards, depositing
eggs on the foliage of host plants; they complete one
generation in northerly areas but two elsewhere. Larvae
occur from June to September or October. When fully
fed, each pupates in a greyish-brown cocoon
constructed amongst dead leaves on the foodplant or
hidden in a crevice on the bark.
DAMAGE
Defoliation is usually unimportant but is sometimes of
significance on nursery plants.
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