Dendrolimus pini

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Dendrolimus pini (click on image to enlarge it)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Dendrolimus pini (Linnaeus, 1767) - (pine-tree lappet)

This moth is found in most parts of Europe and in temperate parts of Asia. It breeds on pine trees and serious outbreaks might develop which can result in defoliation and tree death. Eggs are laid during the summer and the young larvae develop until the first frosts in autumn. They then descend to the ground and overwinter in the litter. In spring, the caterpillars return to the crown of pine trees and pupate around the beginning of the summer, forming cocoons.

The adult moth has a typical wing-span of 6-7 cm, with males being smaller than females. The general colour is brownish and varies from greyish-brown to reddish-brown. There 3 narrow darker zig-zag bands across the forewings and a white dot in the middle of the wing, before the first band. Both the adults and caterpillars are hairy. The caterpillars are also brownish with darker and lighter marks and stripes.