Malacosoma neustria
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Malacosoma neustria (Linnaeus, 1758) - (European tent caterpillar)
This moth is widely distributed in Europe, in temperate and subtropical parts of Asia, as well as in northern Africa. The caterpillars are polyphagous and attack a variety of fruit and forest trees or shrubs, including apple, plum, hazelnut, pear, oak, poplar or elm trees. In autumn, females lay their eggs in clusters on branches. The caterpillars emerge in spring and live gregariously, constructing tents for shelter. They first feed on buds and the upper surface of young leaves, later on the whole leaves. Infested trees may be defoliated.
The adult moth has a wingspan of around 3 cm and a brownish colour. The forewings are crossed by a broad band with dark margins. The caterpillars often have colourful longitudinal stripes in orange, white, blue or reddish brown.
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Ringelspinner |
| • English: | European tent caterpillar common lackey moth |
| • Español: | oruga de librea |
| • Français: | bombyx à livrée |
- Other images of Malacosoma neustria (Wikimedia Commons, IPM Images - click to enlarge)
eggs
larva on oak
larva
