Dotted border

The Dotted border moth (Hibernia marginaria) is a species of moth belonging to the family Geometridae. This pest exhibits a distinct sexual dimorphism: while the males are fully winged and capable of flight, the females have vestigial wings, rendering them flightless and forcing them to crawl up the tree trunks to lay their eggs.

This insect primarily infests deciduous trees and is a notable pest in orchards. Key host plants include apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees. Beyond cultivated fruit gardens, it is frequently found on forest trees such as oak, birch, and lime, where it can cause significant defoliation when population levels peak.

The biological cycle of this pest is univoltine, meaning one generation per year. The winter is spent in the egg stage, with eggs attached to the bark of twigs or near buds. Upon spring bud-burst, larvae emerge and begin feeding voraciously on young leaves and developing blossoms, causing developmental stress to the tree foliage.

Larvae cause extensive damage by consuming leaf tissue, often leaving only the midribs of the leaves intact. This heavy defoliation disrupts the photosynthetic capacity of the tree, resulting in reduced vitality, stunted growth, and diminished yields in both the current and the following growing seasons due to impaired fruit bud formation.

Integrated pest management strategies are crucial for control. Cultural practices like autumn soil cultivation around the base of trees help destroy pupae. Additionally, applying sticky grease bands to trunks during the late autumn prevents wingless females from ascending to the canopy. If thresholds are exceeded, targeted applications of insecticides during the early larval stage provide effective mitigation.