Page 323 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Zygaenidae
DISTRIBUTION Across southern Europe into the Balkans, southern Russia,
and the Caucasus, Turkey, North Africa, and the Middle East
HABITAT Dry, scrubby woodlands, grassy slopes, verges, and gardens
HOST PLANTS Vines such as Vitis spp. and Parthenocissus spp.
NOTE Caterpillar that has been a vineyard pest since ancient times
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
¾–1 in (20–25 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
¾–1 in (20–25 mm)
THERESIMIMA AMPELLOPHAGA
VINE BUD MOTH 321

(BAYLE-BARELLE, 1808)

The female Vine Bud Moth lays clusters of creamy-white eggs
on the underside of leaves. The caterpillars feed on vine leaves,
and their dark brown color has given the moth its alternative
name of Dark Brown Vine Moth. The mature caterpillar spins
a loose cocoon attached to the underside of leaves in which it
overwinters. The pupa is light brown in color.

The Vine Bud Moth is on the wing during the day, showing

o its distinctive metallic blue body and brown wings. Across
much of its range, the moth ies from May to July with a single

generation, but in the south there is a second generation from
the end of July to September. Theresimima ampellophaga is an
important pest of vineyards, recognized as such since Roman
times, as it damages the leaves of the grapevines and reduces
yields. The species can be controlled by the use of pheromone
traps that attract the males, and the use of these traps has shown
that the moth is more widely distributed than was once thought.

The Vine Bud Moth caterpillar has a dark brown,
sluglike body. Each segment has a ring of large,
light brown tubercles bearing tufts of long, brown
and white hairs.
Actual size