Insects - Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers - page 340

Orthosia stabilis (Denis & Schiffermüller)
( 914-915 )
Common quaker moth
A generally common species, the larvae occasionally
attacking trees and shrubs in gardens, parks and
nurseries but more usually associated with forest and
hedgerow trees such as beech ( Fagus sylvatica ), birch
( Betula ), elm ( Ulmus ), oak ( Quercus ) and pussy willow
( Salix caprea ). The pale reddish-ochreous to pale
greyish-ochreous adults (32-35 mm wingspan) occur in
March and April. The larvae feed on foliage from April
to June but numbers on cultivated plants are usually
small. Individuals are plump, up to 40 mm long,
yellowish green and finely dotted with yellow; there are
three yellow stripes along the back, a broader one along
each side, and a prominent yellow bar across the first
thoracic and last abdominal segments; the head is bluish
green.

trees, including maritime pine ( P. pinaster ) and
Weymouth pine ( P. strobus ). Although mainly of
importance as a forestry pest, larvae also cause damage
in nurseries and private gardens, primarily in more
southerly parts of its range and in the vicinity of pine
woodlands. Adults (32-35 mm wingspan) are light
greyish red, with greyish and whitish markings on each
fore wing. They occur from late March to early May,
and often rest on the trunks or branches of pine trees
during the daytime. Eggs are laid singly or in rows on
the needles of host trees, and hatch about a week later.
The dark green, white-striped larvae (up to 40 mm long)
browse on the foliage and are usually fully grown by
mid-July. They then pupate in silken cocoons spun
amongst debris on the ground or in crevices on the bark.
The larvae are capable of causing considerable
defoliation, and loss of needles has an adverse effect on
bud development in the following year. Damage is of
particular significance on young trees, but significant
attacks are restricted to established plantations rather
than to isolated ornamental trees and nursery stock.

Panolis flammea (Denis & Schiffermüller) ( 916 )
Pine beauty moth
A locally common and widely distributed Eurasiatic
pest of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) and certain other

Peridroma saucia (Hübner) ( 917-918 )
Pearly underwing moth
A polyphagous pest of agricultural and horticultural
crops, including ornamentals such as carnation
( Dianthus caryophyllus ), Chrysanthemum , Geranium
and Pelargonium . Cosmopolitan. Widely distributed in
America and elsewhere, including the warmest parts of
Europe. A migrant to northern Europe (e.g. Britain,
Denmark and the Netherlands), arriving annually in
greater or lesser numbers.

914

914 Common quaker moth ( Orthosia stabilis ).

915 916

915 Larva of common quaker moth ( Orthosia stabilis ). 916 Pine beauty moth ( Panolis flammea ).