Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
917
918
917 Pearly underwing moth ( Peridroma saucia ).
918 Larva of pearly underwing moth ( Peridroma saucia ).
919
920
919 Angle-shades moth ( Phlogophora meticulosa ).
920 Larva of angle-shades moth ( Phlogophora meticulosa ).
Phlogophora meticulosa (Linnaeus) ( 919-920 )
syn. Trigonophora meticulosa (Linnaeus)
Angle-shades moth
An often common pest of greenhouse-grown
herbaceous plants, including Chrysanthemum ,
Cineraria , Geranium , Pelargonium , violet ( Viola ) and
various ferns; attacks are most frequent in greenhouses
with artificial lighting. Infestations also occur on, for
example, Anemone , Dahlia , Fuchsia , hollyhock ( Alcea
rosea ), Iris , ivy ( Hedera ), primrose ( Primula vulgaris )
and wallflower ( Cheiranthus cheiri ) growing in outdoor
flower beds and borders. Eurasiatic. Present throughout
Europe.
DESCRIPTION
Adult: 45-55 mm wingspan; fore wings light brown to
dark brown, with blackish markings; hind wings
translucent with a pearly sheen, but dark towards the
border and on the veins. Larva: up to 45 mm long;
mainly ochreous, rusty or purplish brown, with an
undulating longitudinal stripe above the spiracles and a
dark mark on the eighth abdominal segment.
LIFE HISTORY
Eggs are laid in batches on the foodplant and hatch a
week or so later. The cannibalistic larvae then feed for
several weeks, their rate of development being strongly
dependent on temperature. In sufficiently warm
conditions, the pest completes two or more generations
annually, but in northern Europe no more than one
generation seems possible. Pupae form the
overwintering stage, but the pest is unable to survive
through northern European winters.
DESCRIPTION
Adult: 40-50 mm wingspan; fore wings mainly pale
pinkish brown, each with a darker base and a large
inverted triangular olive-green median mark; hind
wings whitish brown. Egg: 0.8 mm across;
hemispherical and strongly ribbed; pale yellow, with
darker mottling. Larva: up to 40 mm long; velvety
yellowish green or brownish, with a fine, white,
interrupted dorsal line, and a series of faint V-shaped
DAMAGE
Larvae burrow into buds and also browse on open
flowers and leaves.
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