Thuja moth
| Thuja moth | ||||||||||||
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Argyresthia thuiella |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Argyresthia thuiella | ||||||||||||
| ( Packard , 1871) |
The argyresthia thuiella ( Argyresthia thuiella , Syn. : Bucculatrix thuiella Packard , 1871), sometimes in spelling Thuja leafminer or Thujenminiermotte , is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of ermine moth (Yponomeutidae).
description
This very small butterfly has a wingspan of around eight to nine millimeters. The adults have pale gray or white wings with three dark gray or black stripes or spots that create a 3-stripe effect when the moth folds its wings to rest.
The caterpillars are up to 7 millimeters long and have a reddish-green to brownish-green body and a black head.
Related species
- Juniper Moth ( Argyresthia trifasciata )
Similar species
- Argyresthia fundella , occurs only in coniferous species.
- Argyresthia retinella , the dark spots are less pronounced on the posterior margin. Only occurs on willows and birches .
Flight time
The species flies from May to July, depending on the area, and is attracted to light.
distribution
The species was first found in Canada , the northeastern United States, and as an isolated population in British Columbia . It was first noted in Connecticut in the United States in 1921 and in Ontario in 1940 in Canada . It was brought into Europe with tree nursery goods. It was established in the Netherlands in 1971 , in Germany in 1975 and in Austria in 1976 .
Way of life
One generation develops per year, it overwinters with sleeping caterpillars in the leaves of the host plant. The life cycle begins in spring when the caterpillars expand their mines from the shoot tips to the inside of the crown. The caterpillars develop in a mine up to 5 millimeters long. They pupate from March to May in their southern distribution areas, or from May to June in the northern areas and fly as adult moths from late May to July. The eggs are laid in June or July. The newly hatched caterpillar digs a mine in the leaf and eats until autumn; this makes the leaves brown. Under mild conditions, the caterpillars also eat over winter and spin in in spring.
food
The green to brown colored caterpillars feed mainly on Thuja occidentalis , but also on other plants of the genus arborvitae (Thuja spec.) As well as false cypresses ( Chamaecyparis spec. ) And poppy ( Macleaya ).
Harmful effect
An infected thuje has brown discolored shoot tips. The shoots of the false cypress first turn yellow, then brown. The damage pattern is similar to that of fungi or damage caused by drought. There is often a circular drill hole on the damaged shoot. The damaged branch tips are eaten hollow on the inside and can be filled with black droppings. Trees that have been infected with the moth species for years can die from it, but in general a tree is able to sprout new shoots in a growing season. In May, the feeding tunnels in the drying leaf scales can be clearly seen in the backlight. Infestation over several years also promotes secondary damage, such as needle mushrooms and bark or sapwood pests (Thuja sapwood beetle: Phloeosinus thuiella , Phloeosinus aubei ).
Combat
Targeted pruning of light or brown shoot tips on the woody plants can significantly reduce the infestation. Spray treatment against biting insects with the approved agents is also possible. Preparations with the active ingredients azadirachtin (neem) and diflubenzuron are permitted ; Because of side effects, preparations with the active ingredients imidacloprid , acetamiprid , thiacloprid and spinosad are not recommended .
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g BugGuide: Argyresthia thuiella , accessed on March 9, 2015
- ↑ a b Lepiforum , accessed on March 10, 2015
- ↑ Genus table of Argyresthia , accessed on March 9, 2015
- ↑ a b c d Plant protection information from the State Office for Consumer Protection Brandenburg ( Memento of the original from February 23, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed March 9, 2015
- ↑ a b Diagnostic database for woody plants , accessed on February 24, 2015
- ↑ Bio-gärtner.de about leaf miner species u. ä. , accessed on February 25, 2015
- ↑ a b Gießen: Plant Protection Information Center ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed February 25, 2015
- ↑ a b Information brochure on diseases and pests on ornamental trees ( Memento of the original from May 28, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Berlin Plant Protection Office, p. 18, accessed on February 25, 2015
literature
- Thomas Kaltenbach, Peter Victor Küppers: Small butterflies. Verlag J. Neudamm-Neudamm, Melsungen 1987, ISBN 3-7888-0510-2
