Leafroll Caterpillar Euops falcata & other species
Family: - Attelabidae
Order: - Coleoptera
Description:
Adult
Colour - Dark.
Body - Oblong to slightly elongate. 1.4-7mm. Has hairs that lay down or are erect.
Wings - 2 Pairs. Front wings modified to form hard protective cases (elytra) for rear wings. When at rest they meet in a straight line down the centre of the back. Rear wings membranous and folded both lengthwise and across so they fit under their protective cases. When in flight the elytra are held at an angle and the rear wings beat rapidly. Rear wings may be reduced or absent in some species. Wing-span up to 60mm. Both pairs attached to the hind body.
Mouthparts - Chewing. Pointing forward.
Antennae - 11 segments
Legs - Rear legs larger than front legs. Feet (Tarsi) have 3-5 segments with 1 or 2 claws on the end segment.
Head - Rigid. Large rounded compound eyes.
Thorax - Front segment associated with head to form distinct fore body. Front segment covered by a hard plate (pronotum). 2 rear segments fused and associated with the abdomen to form hind body.
Abdomen - 10 segments in male, 9 in female. Often only 8 can be counted by eye. Spiracles on segments 1-7 and often on 8 also.
Egg - Usually simple and ovoid.
Habits - Can't fly when cold.
Larva -
Colour - various
Body - Cylindrical.
Mouthparts - Chewing. Transverse action.
Antennae - 1-2 segments or less.
Legs - Has no legs.
Head - Usually a hard capsule. No ridges on forehead.
Thorax - No functional spiracle on middle segment.
Abdomen - 8-11 segments. Rarely has prolegs. If present they don't have crochets. Spiracles on segments 1 to 8.
Habits - Lives inside leaf roll.
Pupa -
Biology:
Life Cycle:
Adult cuts leaf to form a roll. She lay eggs in this cut portion. The larva develops in the leaf roll.
Habitats:
Origin and History:
Distribution:
Significance:
Economic pest of eucalypt and acacia plantations. Adult forms leaf into a roll and lays eggs inside. The hatch into the caterpillar.
Management and Control:
Related Species:
Similar Species:
References:
CSIRO. The Insects of Australia. Melbourne University Press. (1991) p680.
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.