Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
shiny.
Larva
up to 35 mm long;
body
white and
translucent, with the gut contents often clearly
visible;
pinacula
pale brown and inconspicuous
(cf.
Hepialus hamuli,
above);
head and
prothoracic plate
light brown
(Plate lOe). Pupa
20 mm long, reddish-brown;
abdominal segments
with projections ventrally and dentate ridges
dorsally.
BIOLOGY
Moths are active in May, June or July, and eggs
are laid singly in the open flowers of host plants.
After egg hatch, each larva feeds on the surface
of the developing fruit before tunnelling into the
receptacle. When approximately 3 weeks old, the
larvae drop to the ground and enter the soil.
Here they remain until the following spring. At
bud burst, the larvae reappear and invade the
buds or young shoots; several are attacked dur-
ing the course of larval development. Fully fed
larvae pupate within silken cocoons spun on the
host plant or on posts and other surfaces. Adults
emerge about 3 weeks later.
Family NEPTICULIDAE
Stigmella malella
(Stainton)
Apple pygmy moth
This leaf miner attacks apple and, although usu-
ally of no importance in orchards, can be a prob-
lem on nursery trees (including ornamental crab
apple). This pest is of greater significance in con-
tinental Europe, where significant damage in es-
tablished orchards can occur.
DESCRIPTION
Adult
9-12 mm wingspan;
head
yellowish;
forewings
dark purplish-brown to golden-brown,
speckled with creamish-yellow;
hindwings
pur-
plish-grey
(Fig. 269). Larva
up to 8 mm long;
body
red;
head, prothoracic plate and anal plate
black.
BIOLOGY
Adults are active in two main generations, flying
in May and in August. Eggs are laid on the un-
derside of apple leaves. However, the larvae
mine just below the upper surface, each forming
sinuous galleries within which a dark central line
of frass is clearly visible. Occupied mines occur
from June to July and from September to Octo-
ber. Pupation occurs outside the mine in a small,
yellowish-orange, parchment-like cocoon, usu-
ally attached to the base of a leaf.
Family COSSIDAE
Zeuzera pyrina
(L.)
Leopard moth
This southerly distributed pest occurs on various
trees and shrubs and is sometimes a problem in
young orchards, particularly in years following
hot summers. The larvae bore within the shoots;
they also tunnel within stems and branches of
less than 10 cm in diameter. Damage is particu-
DESCRIPTION
Adult
4-5 mm wingspan;
head
dark ochreous;
forewings
blackish with a whitish cross-band;
hindwings
grey.
Larva
up to 4 mm long;
body
pale yellow and translucent;
head
brown.
Family INCURVARIIDAE
Lampronia rubiella
(Bjerkander)
Raspberry moth
This moth is a locally important pest of logan-
berry and raspberry. Larvae destroy the buds
and lateral shoot and, if infestations are heavy,
fruit yields are reduced significantly.
Fig.
269
Raspberry moth,
Lampronia rubiella
(x7).
