Green silver-lines

The green silver-lines (Latin Pseudoips prasinana) is a moth belonging to the order Lepidoptera and the family Nolidae. It is a common insect species found throughout European and Asian forests, where its larvae feed on the foliage of various broad-leaved trees.

This pest primarily attacks deciduous trees such as oak (Quercus), beech (Fagus), birch (Betula), and hazel (Corylus). While generally considered a minor forest pest, in cases of mass outbreak, it can cause significant damage to young saplings in nurseries and ornamental trees in urban environments.

The biological cycle of the green silver-lines includes the overwintering of larvae within tough, boat-shaped cocoons attached to tree bark. Pupation occurs in the spring, and adult moths emerge during late spring and summer months to mate and lay eggs on the undersides of host plant leaves.

The damage is caused entirely by the larvae, which are voracious leaf feeders. Early instars typically skeletonize the leaves, while older larvae consume entire leaf blades, often leaving only the main veins. This defoliation can significantly stress the trees, making them more vulnerable to subsequent infections or extreme weather conditions.

• Monitoring of tree health to detect early signs of larval feeding.
• Encouraging natural predators, such as birds and parasitic wasps, to control population levels.
• Applying Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticides if infestation thresholds are exceeded.
• Targeted spraying with selective insecticides during the peak activity period of young caterpillars.