Erannis defoliaria (caterpillar)

Mottled umber

The caterpillars of the mottled umber are variable in their coloration. They hatch in spring (April) and pupate in summer (July*). Their host plants include many deciduous trees such as hornbeam, field maple, oak and birch as well as some fruit species. If they occur in large numbers, they can cause considerable damage.

Damage caused by caterpillars on a hornbeam — Damage caused by mottled umber caterpillars on a hornbeam.

The adult male moths fly from fall to winter and are nocturnal. Females do not have wings.

Family

Geometer moth (Geometridae )

caterpillar mottled umber — Brown-yellow colored caterpillar of the mottled umber on Acer campestre.

Distribution

Europe to West Asia

Erannis defoliaria caterpillars on dogwood. At the top left you can probably see a parasitic wasp which wants to lay its eggs in one of the caterpillars.

Habitats

Bushes, forest edges, gardens, parks, orchards

Erannis defoliaria caterpillar — Caterpillar and ichneumon wasp (?)

Food

Leaves and buds of many tree species.

* In Central Europe.

Categories: Caterpillars | Insects