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Aglia tau

Tau emperor

Description

Aglia tau is an univoltine species, it has one generation per year. Adults appear from April to May (to June in altitudes of about 1500 m asl.). The active males, fly diurnally, while less active females only fly at night. Females lay eggs on trunks and branches of host trees individually or in a small clusters. Caterpillars hatch after 14 days and feeds individually. They pupate (June – August) in a loose cocoon between the leaves in the litter. The pupa overwinters. It prefers beach (Fagus sylvatica), but feeds also on other deciduous trees, oak (Quercus spp.), alder (Alnus ssp.), elm (Ulmus spp.), willow (Salix spp.), birch (Betula spp.), etc. A Palearctic species. It occurs from Spain across Europe and temperate Asia to the Japan. In Europe widely distributed, missing in extreme north and south and on the British Isles.

Symptom

A green caterpillar with bizarre growths sitting on a leaf. Older caterpillars do not have growths.

Tree Species: Elm, Birch, Beech, Cherry, Oak, Hornbeam, Alder, Willow

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes