Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 271
Head and prothoracic plate of young larva
of leopard moth,
Zeuzera pyrina.
Fig. 270
Male leopard moth,
Zeuzera pyrina
(x2.5).
Family LYONETIIDAE
Lyonetia clerkella
(L.)
larva =
Apple leaf miner
larly serious on young trees, some of which may
be killed.
BIOLOGY
Adults occur in June and July, and eggs are laid
in cracks or wounds in the bark of host trees.
Larvae may at first attack the leaves but eventu-
ally they bore into the shoots and branches
where they form long tunnels in the heart wood.
Frass and particles of wood are expelled from the
feeding galleries and these often accumulate on
the ground beneath infested trees. Larval devel-
opment is protracted and lasts for up to 2 or 3
years. Fully fed larvae pupate within their feed-
ing galleries, each in a silken cocoon within
which particles of wood are incorporated. Moths
emerge about a month later.
Infestations of this generally abundant species
occur on various trees and shrubs, including
&p-/
pie and cherry. The larvae mine the foliage, and
heavy infestations can cause leaves to turn
brown and die.
BIOLOGY
This species overwinters in the adult stage. The
moths appear in April and then deposit eggs on
the underside of leaves. Following egg hatch,
each larva tunnels within the leaf to form a very
long, brown or whitish gallery, visible from
above. Fully fed larvae emerge 3-4 weeks later
to spin cocoons on leaves, branches or trunks of
trees, each suspended in a hammock-like fashion
by threads of silk. Adults appear about 2 weeks
later. This species usually completes three gen-
erations annually.
DESCRIPTION
Adult
45-65 mm wingspan;
body
white marked
with blue-black;
wings
white with blue-black
spots, but thinly scaled and translucent
(Fig.
270). Larva
up to 60mm long;
body
yellow;
pinacula
black;
head
dark brown;
prothoracic
plate
blackish-brown and very large;
anal plate
blackish-brown
(Plate lOf). Young larva
pink-
ish;
prothoracic plate
distinctively sculptured
posteriorly
(Fig. 271).
DESCRIPTION
Adult
8-9 mm wingspan;
forewings
brilliant
white (but sometimes brownish), with a dark
spot and several streaks apically;
hindwings
dark
grey.
Larva
up to 8 mm long;
body
green and
translucent;
head
brown.
