Page 588 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nolidae
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION Across Europe into western Asia and northern Iran
TRIBUTION
DIS
HABIT A T Woodlands and parks
HABITAT
HABITAT
HOS T PLANT S Oak (Quercus spp.)
HOST PLANTS
HOST PLANTS
NO
NOTE
NOTE Bright green caterpillar that hides among leaves
TE
CONSERVATION STATUS Not assessed, but locally common
A
CONSERV
CONSERVATION STATUS
TION S
A
TUS
T
ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1 ⁄ in (40–50 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
⁄ in (15 mm)
BENA PRASINANA
SCARCE SILVER-LINES
586
(LINNAEUS, 1758)
Scarce Silver-lines caterpillars hatch from eggs laid on the leaves
of the host plant. The young larvae are appropriately red brown
in color, helping to conceal them as they overwinter on twigs,
becoming active again in spring. The older caterpillars are
Actual size
green and found on the underside of leaves in May and June.
The mature larvae pupate on twigs and the underside of leaves
within a silken cocoon.

The adult night- ying moths, all produced in a single generation,

are seen on the wing from late May to August, when they are
attracted to lights. The species is rarely seen in open spaces,
and populations tend to be largest in ancient oak woodland and
other woodlands where mature oak trees are found. Numbers
of Scarce Silver-lines moths have declined due to the loss of oak
woodland across Europe, fueled by a preference for planting
faster-growing trees. The genus Bena comprises eight species
and belongs to the tuft moths of the family Nolidae.

The Scarce Silver-lines caterpillar is plump
in shape, tapering to the end of the abdomen.
It is bright green, with scattered white dots and
sparse, ne hairs. There are two pale yellow
dorsal lines and a series of pale oblique lines
on the sides. The head and legs are much
paler in color.