Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
crossband and on the sides with black lines and spots;
pinacula black; head yellow, spotted with black.
DAMAGE
Defoliation on young trees and nursery stock can be
extensive but attacks on older plants are usually of little
or no significance.
LIFE HISTORY
Adults appear from mid-April to the end of May,
depositing eggs singly on the underside of leaves of host
plants. The larvae feed in June and July, each eventually
pupating in the soil in a strong, silken cocoon several
centimetres below the surface. The period of pupation is
protracted, and often persists through four or five
winters. This probably accounts for the species being
most frequent on light soils and rather scarce in heavy-
clay districts.
Shargacucullia verbasci
(Linnaeus) (
924-925
)
syn.
Cucullia verbasci
(Linnaeus)
Mullein moth
Often common, particularly on light soils, infesting
mullein (
Verbascum
) and figwort (
Scrophularia
).
Sometimes a pest of cultivated plants; attacks also occur
on buddleia (
Buddleja
). Eurasiatic. Widely distributed
in Europe.
DESCRIPTION
Adult:
45-55 mm wingspan; fore wings lanceolate,
mainly ochreous brown to dark brown; hind wings dark
brown, grading to ochreous brown basally.
Larva:
up to
55 mm long; whitish to light green or light blue, each
segment marked posteriorly with a yellow dorsal
DAMAGE
Young larvae bite out small holes in the leaves. Older
individuals feed ravenously, and often cause significant
defoliation. Flower spikes are not only destroyed but
also contaminated by masses of expelled frass.
922
923
922
Herald moth (
Scoliopteryx libatrix
).
923
Larva of herald moth (
Scoliopteryx libatrix
).
924
925
924
Mullein moth (
Shargacucullia verbasci
).
925
Larva of mullein moth (
Shargacucullia verbasci
).
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