Page 631 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Noctuidae
DISTRIBUTION Northern and southern Europe, east across Asia to Korea
and Japan
HABITAT Coniferous forests, especially those of a cool, humid type
HOST PLANTS Various coniferous trees, especially spruce (Picea spp.);
also pine (Pinus spp.) and European Larch (Larix decidua)
NOTE Hairy caterpillar found in the canopy of conifer trees
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but locally rare

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –2 in (40–50 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1¾–2⅛ in (45–55 mm)
PANTHEA COENOBITA
PINE ARCHES 629

(ESPER, 1785)

Pine Arches caterpillars hatch from yellow eggs laid in clusters
on the needles of coniferous trees in late summer. The larvae
stay in the canopy, where they feed on needles as they develop.
Their coloring and form provide excellent camouflage,
so they can rest openly, lying along narrow branches. The hairs
of the caterpillars also contain irritants, giving the caterpillars
some protection from predation. The mature larvae move to
the ground, incorporating hairs into their cocoon for extra
protection and also for camou age when they pupate.

The chestnut-brown pupa overwinters, and the adult then
emerges the following spring. The moths, which have a
distinctive black-and-white, zigzag patterning, are on the wing
from early May to August, and there is one generation a year.
The range of this moth species has been expanding in recent
decades due to the increased establishment of conifer plantations,
especially plantations of spruce.

The Pine Arches caterpillar is reddish brown
in color and covered in tufts of hairs. There is a
series of dorsal, creamy-white marks and several Actual size
amber-colored lateral lines. Distinctive yellow
tufts of hair arise on segments two, three, four,
and eleven. The head is brown with a central,
red-brown ash.