Small Eggar

Taxonomic position: The Small Eggar (Eriogaster lanestris) belongs to the order Lepidoptera and the family Lasiocampidae. It is a nocturnal moth species widely distributed in temperate regions, known for its larvae forming communal webs on various host trees.

Host plants: This pest is a polyphagous insect that feeds on a variety of broad-leaved trees and shrubs. It frequently infests orchard trees including plum, cherry, apple, and pear, as well as forest trees like birch, lime, willow, and hawthorn.

Biology and life cycle: The species typically completes one generation per year. It overwinters in the pupal stage within hard, silken cocoons firmly attached to the branches of the host plant. Moths emerge in early spring to mate. Females deposit eggs in clusters, covering them with specialized hairs from their abdomen, and larvae live in gregarious colonies while spinning protective silk nests.

Damage and economic impact: Young larvae initially feed by skeletonizing the leaves. As they mature, they consume the entire leaf lamina, leaving only the primary veins and petiole behind. During outbreaks, the larvae can cause extensive defoliation of the canopy, which severely stresses the host plants, reduces their ability to store energy, and leads to significant yield losses in fruit orchards.

Control measures: Integrated pest management strategies are recommended to mitigate damage:

• Manual removal and destruction of silken nests containing larvae during the spring.
• Winter pruning to identify and remove the durable cocoons attached to twigs.
• Application of selective biological or chemical insecticides during the early larval stage if infestation levels are high.
• Encouraging natural predators, such as birds and parasitic wasps, to inhabit the orchard environment.