Description

Adult

Wingspan of 23-27 mm in the female and 19-22 mm in the male. Forewings brown with darker brown patches. Hind wings grey. Male forewings paler than that of female.

Larvae

Length up to 23mm. Body dull greenish black with black pinacula. Head, prothoracic plate and anal plate all shiny black. Anal comb black with 6-8 teeth.

Eggs

Deposited in masses of ca. 30 eggs, usually high on the tree, and appearance is similar to bird droppings.

Distribution

Europe, Asia minor and north-western Africa.

Economic Host(s)

A range of tree species including birch (Betula), ash (Fraxinus), crab apple (Malus), oak (Quercus) and lime (Tilia).

Symptoms/Signs

First instars climb the tree to feed upon the underside of leaves. Later instars feed on foliage within rolled leaves.

Generations:

Generations: 1