Leopard moth

Systematic position: The Leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina) belongs to the order Lepidoptera and the family Cossidae. It is a wood-boring moth widely recognized as a serious pest in both commercial orchards and ornamental landscapes across various climatic zones.

Host plants: This pest is highly polyphagous, attacking a wide range of woody plants. Key fruit tree hosts include apple, pear, cherry, plum, and peach. Furthermore, it frequently infests deciduous trees such as maple, ash, elm, horse chestnut, and common lilac, causing significant damage to the structural integrity of the plants.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle of the Leopard moth typically spans two years. Adult moths emerge from June to August. Females lay eggs individually near buds or in bark crevices. Newly hatched larvae first feed on young shoots before tunneling into thicker branches and trunks, where they continue to develop and overwinter for two successive years before pupation.

Damage characteristics and impact: Larvae create extensive galleries within the wood, which disrupts the tree's vascular system. The most visible signs of infestation are frass (reddish sawdust-like droppings) appearing on the bark. Heavily infested branches often wilt, snap under wind stress, and die. Young trees are particularly vulnerable and may be girdled and killed entirely.

Control measures: Management is challenging due to the hidden lifestyle of the larvae. Recommended practices include:

• Regular inspection and pruning of infested branches.
• Application of systemic insecticides during the period when larvae are migrating.
• Mechanical removal of larvae using wires in accessible tunnels.
• Injection of contact insecticides into individual entry holes followed by sealing.