Mottled Beauty

Systematic position. The Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata) is a moth belonging to the order Lepidoptera and the family Geometridae. This moth is widespread throughout Europe and Asia, and its larvae are recognized as occasional pests of forest and orchard trees.

Host plants. The Mottled Beauty is a generalist feeder (polyphagous). Its larvae primarily feed on a variety of deciduous trees, including willow (Salix), birch (Betula), and alder (Alnus). Additionally, they have been recorded causing damage to various fruit trees, including apple, pear, and plum, sometimes impacting nursery stock significantly.

Biology and life cycle. This species typically completes one generation per year. Larvae hibernate during the winter months, hiding within plant litter or protected crevices in the bark. In the spring, they emerge to feed on developing buds and young foliage. Pupation usually occurs in the soil or among spun leaves. Adult moths emerge in mid-summer to mate and lay eggs.

Type of damage and harmfulness. The larvae are the stage responsible for agricultural damage. During early spring, they consume buds, often hindering the development of new shoots. As they mature, they feed on leaves, creating irregular holes and causing defoliation. High larval densities can weaken trees, making them susceptible to secondary stressors such as diseases or prolonged droughts.

Protection measures. Effective management strategies for the Mottled Beauty include:

• Monitoring tree health during the bud burst stage.
• Promoting natural predators, such as birds and parasitic wasps, in the garden ecosystem.
• Applying biological pesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis when larvae are in their early instars.
• Using chemical control as a last resort in cases of severe infestation, timing applications to the active feeding phase of the larvae.