Page 518 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Notodontidae
DISTRIBUTION Spain and southern France into central Europe, southern
Russia, and Turkey
HABITAT Dry woodlands and scrub, riparian forests, dry grasslands,
and rocky slopes near wooded areas
HOST PLANTS Elm (Ulmus spp.)

NOTE Well-camou aged caterpillar that often frequents hot, dry places
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but endangered in parts of its range

ADULT WINGSPAN

1⅜–1 ⁄ in (35–40 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ in (40 mm)
DICRANURA ULMI
ELM MOTH
516
([DENNIS & SCHIFFERMÜLLER], 1775)

Elm Moth caterpillars emerge from white eggs that are laid
singly on the upper surface of elm leaves. The larvae are seen
on the leaves from May through to July, the young ones resting
along the midrib on the underside of leaves, while the older ones
rest along twigs, their cryptic coloration providing excellent

camou age. The mature caterpillars move to the ground, where
they pupate in a cocoon just under the surface of the soil. The
species overwinters as a pupa and ecloses in spring.

The night- ying moths are on the wing from March to May, and

there is a single generation a year. Dicranura ulmi has disappeared
from much of its former range and is currently at risk through
the loss of its habitat, particularly hot, dry grassland, as a result
of changes in agricultural management and industrial and tourist
developments. Its numbers in southern Europe are more robust.

The Elm Moth caterpillar varies in color from
shades of green to brown. The body is covered
in small, yellow spots, with a dark dorsal line and
yellow lateral lines. Two red-brown tubercles lie
behind the brown head, with two dorsal brown
tubercles on the abdomen. Two antenna-like
laments extend from the abdomen to give
the appearance of a false head. Actual size