Prominent moth

The genus Lophopteryx belongs to the Notodontidae family within the order Lepidoptera. These moths, commonly known as prominent moths, are recognized by the dense tufts of scales on their wings. From an agricultural perspective, these insects are considered defoliators capable of causing economic damage to various deciduous tree species when populations reach high density levels.

The caterpillars of these moths primarily feed on the foliage of broad-leaved trees. Preferred hosts include oak, birch, poplar, willow, and linden. In forest nurseries and urban environments, heavy infestations can lead to significant aesthetic and biological degradation of trees, reducing their vigor and overall resistance to stressors.

The life cycle of the prominent moth consists of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. They typically overwinter as pupae within cocoons located in the soil or leaf litter beneath the host tree. Adults emerge in spring or early summer to mate, followed by egg-laying on the undersides of leaves, which marks the start of the feeding season for the larvae.

The damage caused by Lophopteryx is primarily foliage consumption. Early instar larvae skeletonize the leaves, while later stages consume entire leaf blades, leaving only the main veins intact. This severe defoliation impairs the tree's photosynthetic ability, restricts nutrient storage for the following season, and can leave the tree susceptible to secondary wood-boring pests or fungal infections.

Management strategies focus on monitoring and early intervention. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices suggest using pheromone or light traps to monitor flight peaks, followed by the application of biological agents like Bacillus thuringiensis if economic thresholds are met. Cultural control, such as cultivating the soil under infested trees during autumn, helps destroy pupating larvae and reduces future population pressure.

• Biological pest control using microbial insecticides.
• Targeted application of chemical insecticides.
• Manual removal of caterpillar clusters on small trees.
• Soil tilling around tree bases to disrupt the pupation cycle.