Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig.
305
Larva of magpie moth,
Abraxas
grossulariata
(x3): (a) abdominal proleg and crochets
(further enlarged).
Fig. 304
Magpie moth,
Abraxas grossulariata
(x3).
ish spots, a narrow yellowish-orange cross-band
and a partly yellowish-orange base;
hindwings
mainly white with blackish markings
(Fig.
304). Larva
up to 40 mm long;
body
pale yel-
lowish-white, extensively marked with black; two
pairs of prolegs;
head
black
(Fig. 305). Pupa
15 mm long, black with yellow cross-bands.
Alsophila aescularia
(Denis & Schiffermiiller)
March moth
The March moth is an often common pest of
orchard trees. In spring, the larvae damage the
unopened buds; they also attack the expanded
leaves, blossom trusses and fruitlets.
Fig. 306
Male March moth.
Alsophila aescularia
(x3).
BIOLOGY
Adults occur throughout March. Eggs are laid in
a batch, which encircles a twig. They are then
coated in hairs from the female's anal tuft. Lar-
vae feed from April to June and then pupate in
the soil within silken cocoons. Adults emerge in
the following spring.
Adult male
25-30 mm wingspan;
forewings
dis-
tinctly angular, grey to brownish-grey, with pale
markings
(Fig. 306);
hindwings
pale grey.
Larva
up to 25 mm long;
body
pale green with a
dark green dorsal stripe and yellowish-white lon-
gitudinal lines, including one passing below the
spiracles; one vestigial and two functional pairs
of abdominal prolegs (cf. winter moth,
Operophtera brumata,
p. 231);
head
green.
DESCRIPTION
Adult female
8 mm long, wingless;
body
greyish-
brown, with a prominent anal tuft of hair.
