Page 336 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Drepanidae
DISTRIBUTION Europe, east to the Urals, and northeast Asia
HABITAT Forests, heathland, scrub, and other wooded areas,
including gardens
HOST PLANTS Birch (Betula spp.) and alder (Alnus spp.)
NOTE Common hook-tip caterpillar that is found in many habitats
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common throughout most of its range

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1 ⁄ in (30–40 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
⁄ –
⁄ in (18–24 mm)
DREPANA FALCATARIA
PEBBLE HOOK-TIP
334
(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Pebble Hook-tip caterpillars hatch from eggs laid in short chains
on the leaves of their host plant. They are solitary, each making
a slight silken shelter when small, but live openly on the leaves
when larger. The larvae often rest with the hind end raised and
the front end arched so that the tubercles protrude. They can be
Actual size
found in almost any habitat within their range, from late May to
October. Pupation occurs in a tough, brown cocoon constructed
either in a rolled-up leaf or between two leaves joined together,
and this is the overwintering stage.

The species is named for the pebble mark on the forewing of
the adults, which y from April to September (or May to July

in the north of the range). Hook-tips are members of the
subfamily Drepaninae, whose characteristic caterpillars have a

single eshy spike that has evolved from the hind pair of prolegs.
The Dusky Hook-tip caterpillar (Drepana curvatula) is similar in
appearance to D. falcataria and also feeds on birch and alder, but
it has shorter tubercles and is generally slightly darker in color.

The Pebble Hook-tip caterpillar has many quite
long, sti hairs. It is blackish when small, with
pale green markings. When larger, it is plump,
bright green on the sides, and brown on the back
with four pairs of large, raised tubercles on the
front half. Its body tapers to the hind end, which
has a short, blunt spike.