Drymonia ruficornis

Lunar marbled brown

Description

Wingspan 35-40 mm. Similar to the Marbled Brown (D. dodonaea), this species has a black crescent in the white area of the forewing. Univoltine, adults lives in 1 generation from March to June. Larvae lives on leaves from end of April until June. Narrow, distinct yellow or whitish subdorsal lines makes them relatively easy to recognize. Pupation take place in the soil. The pupa overwinters. Larva feeds on Quercus spp. Inhabiting broadleaved woodland, mainly in warmer regions, not rare. It can be very common in certain years, but does not tent to outbreak. Low economic importance. It is cgenerally not threatened. At the certain places can be negatively influenced by changing of tree structure and preferring instead of oak species some other tree species as for example beech, pine, spruce or fruit trees.

Symptom

Larva: Body green, dorsally light blue-green, with narrow but distinct yellow or whitish subdorsal lines and wider, mostly yellow spiracular stripes; the last can be partly dashed. Dorsal line absent. Head green, with narrow ongoing spiracular stripes; legs, prolegs and anal prolegs green. Pinacula inconspicuous. Young caterpillars greenish or yellowish with black pinacula; later green with very distinct yellow subdorsal stripes.

Tree Species: Oak

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes