Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
986
Macrophya punctumalbum
(Linnaeus)
(
986-988
)
In continental Europe, an important pest of ash
(
Fraxinus excelsior
) growing as shade trees;
infestations also occur on privet (
Ligustrum vulgare
)
and lilac (
Syringa
), and are sometimes of significance in
nurseries. Present throughout Europe; locally common
in Britain, particularly in southern England. An
introduced pest in North America.
DESCRIPTION
Adult female:
7-8 mm long; mainly black with two
white marks on the prothorax, a white scutellum, and
white marks on the sides of the abdomen; legs mainly
black with partly white tibiae and bright red hind
femora.
Larva:
up to 16 mm long; dull green with a
yellowish-brown head; young larva yellowish green to
whitish green, with a green head.
986
Adult female of
Macrophya punctumalbum
.
987
LIFE HISTORY
Adults occur in May and June, but males are extremely
rare and reproduction is normally parthenogenetic. Eggs
are deposited in the leaves of host plants from June
onwards, larvae feeding throughout the summer and
becoming fully grown by the autumn. Individuals then
enter the soil and eventually pupate in dark brown
cocoons. Adults appear in the following spring.
DAMAGE
Larvae cause considerable defoliation, attacked leaves
becoming extensively holed and often totally destroyed.
Adults are also responsible for damage, macerating
leaves with their jaws.
987
Larva of
Macrophya punctumalbum
.
988
988
Macrophya punctumalbum
damage to leaves of
Syringa
.
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