Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
pearance extremely variable;
hindwings
greyish.
Larva
up to 25 mm long;
body
greyish-ochreous
to purplish-brown, with pale stripes;
pinacula
very small and black;
spiracles
black and pro-
minent;
head
very small, brown and shiny;
prothoracic plate
large and pale brown;
anal plate
very large and ochreous-brown.
Oria musculosa
(Hiibner)
Brighton wainscot moth
Although an important pest of cereals (mainly
barley) in parts of central and eastern Europe,
this moth has only relatively recently become
established in the British Isles where it some-
times causes minor damage to cereal crops in
parts of Wiltshire. The larvae attack the stems
and also the developing ears, often feeding on
the latter whilst these are still hidden within the
leaf sheaths.
Fig. 325
Large yellow underwing moth,
Noctua
pronuba
(x2).
dorsal line and distinctive pairs of black bars on
the abdominal segments;
spiracles
black;
head
light brown with darker markings.
Pupa
22-
25 mm long, plump, reddish-brown and glossy;
cremaster
with two strong spines.
BIOLOGY
The moths occur from mid-summer to early au-
tumn and deposit their eggs in large batches on
stubble, on rocks or directly on the lower parts of
the stems of host plants. The eggs overwinter and
hatch from March onwards. The larvae feed until
June, and each is capable of damaging up to 20
stems. Pupation occurs in the soil.
Oligia strigilis
(L.)
Marbled minor moth
This moth is a minor pest of cereals and grasses.
The larvae burrow within the shoots and cause
their death. Infestations are of greatest signifi-
cance on crops of cocksfoot grass.
DESCRIPTION
Adult
28^34 mm wingspan;
forewings
ochreous
with two longitudinal whitish-ochreous bands;
hindwings
greyish with whitish cilia.
Larva
up
to 30 mm long;
body
pale green with dark
green subdorsal stripes;
pinacula and spiracles
small and black;
head
ochreous-yellow;
pro-
thoracic plate
greenish-ochreous, marked with
black.
BIOLOGY
Moths occur in June and July. Eggs are then laid
in rows on the leaves and stems of host plants.
Following egg hatch, the larvae burrow into the
stems and shoots, where they feed from August
or early September onwards. Larvae hibernate
during the winter and complete their develop-
ment in the spring. Pupation takes place in the
soil in earthen cells.
Orthosia incerta
(Hufnagel)
Clouded drab moth
This generally common moth is sometimes of
pest status in apple orchards. The larvae feed on
the leaves but, more significantly, also bite into
the developing fruitlets. Attacked fruitlets often
DESCRIPTION
Adult
22-27 mm wingspan;
forewings
blackish-
brown with whitish or bronze markings but ap-
