Small lappet moth

The small lappet moth (Phyllodesma ilicifolia) is a moth in the family Lasiocampidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It is found throughout Europe and parts of Asia.

Small lappet moth
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Lasiocampidae
Genus:
Phyllodesma
Species:
P. ilicifolia
Binomial name
Phyllodesma ilicifolia
Synonyms
  • Phyllodesma ilicifolium
  • Epicnaptera ilicifolia[2]
Caterpillar

Description

From Meyrick L. 35–40 mm. Forewings with 9 to apex; brownish-ferruginous, slightly whitish-sprinkled; first and second lines dark grey, waved, interrupted, curved near costa; a dark grey discal mark, preceded by a whitish suffusion; a broad terminal band of whitish irroration, including a darker interrupted line, not reaching costa; cilia white, barred with dark ferruginous. Hindwings purplish-fuscous; two suffused whitish bands; 8 connected with 7, with one or two pseudoneuria. Larva grey or reddish, hairs reddish; dorsal line black, interrupted with reddish, edged with whitish; lateral blue-grey, interrupted.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The moth is found in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

Life cycle and behaviour

The larva feeds on Vaccinium and Salix and hibernates as a pupa within a cocoon. The adult emerges in spring, flies at night in summer and lays its eggs in batches.[2]

See also

References
  1. World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1996). "Phyllodesma ilicifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T17169A6800790. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T17169A6800790.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. Ford, R.L.E. (1963). The Observer's Book of Larger Moths. London: Frederick Warne. p. 143.
  3. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.


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