Page 536 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Notodontidae
DISTRIBUTION Across central and southern Europe, parts of northern Europe
into southern Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq
HABITAT Oak woodlands, grasslands, and scrub areas near oak
HOST PLANTS Oak (Quercus spp.)
NOTE Twiglike caterpillar that feeds on oak leaves
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but endangered in parts of its range

ADULT WINGSPAN

1⅜–1 ⁄ in (35–40 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2 in (50 mm)
SPATALIA ARGENTINA
ARGENTINE MOTH
534
(DENIS & SCHIFFERMÜLLER, 1775)

Argentine Moth caterpillars hatch from eggs laid on the older
leaves of oak trees. Typically, the larvae start feeding at the tip
of the leaf blade and work down either side of the midrib. Their

twiglike appearance provides excellent camou age among the
foliage. The caterpillars move to the ground to pupate, spinning
a loose cocoon, and the dark brown pupa overwinters, with the
adult moths eclosing in late spring.

The night- ying Argentine Moth, which, confusingly, is not

found anywhere in South America, is also known as the Silver
Stain-toothed Spinner. The moths are on the wing from April to
August, with two generations, although there may only be one in
the north of the range. Spatalia argentina is under threat from the
loss of oak woodlands, especially those of an open structure with
young growth. Also, the moth is killed when foresters spray trees
to destroy defoliating moths such as the Gypsy Moth (Lymantria
dispar), which also feeds on oak.

The Argentine Moth caterpillar has a mottled,
pale brown body with an orange-brown head and
legs. Faint white lines run the length of the body.
Two dark brown knobs behind the thorax, a
brown-edged transverse ridge on segment ten,
and another knob on segment eleven create
the appearance of a twig with buds.

Actual size