List of Lepidoptera that feed on willows

Updated on Jan 03, 2024

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'Willows, sallows and osiers - Salix spp. - are used as food plants by the larvae (caterpillars) of a large number of Lepidoptera species including the following.

Monophagous species

Species that feed exclusively on Salix.

Batrachedridae

Batrachedra salicipomenella

Coleophoridae

Several Coleophora case-bearer species:

C. albidella – only on S. aurita, goat willow (S. caprea), grey willow (S. cinerea) and S. repens

C. bedella – only on S. excelsa

C. castipennella

C. kearfottella

C. zelleriella

Geometridae

Slender Pug (Eupithecia tenuiata)

Hepialidae

Sthenopis thule

Noctuidae

Minor Shoulder-knot (Brachylomia viminalis)

Polyphagous species

Species that feed on Salix and other plants.

Arctiidae

Giant Leopard Moth (Ecpantheria scribonia)

Batrachedridae

Batrachedra praeangusta

Batrachedra striolata – recorded on arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepsis)

Bedelliidae

Bedellia somnulentella

Coleophoridae

Several Coleophora case-bearer species:

C. anatipennella

C. atlantica

C. currucipennella

C. lusciniaepennella

C. malivorella

C. piperata

C. pruniella – recorded on crack willow (Salix fragilis)

C. salicivorella

Geometridae

Agriopis marginaria (Dotted Border)

Alcis repandata (Mottled Beauty)

Cabera exanthemata (Common Wave)

Cabera pusaria (Common White Wave)

Chloroclysta truncata (Common Marbled Carpet)

Colotois pennaria (Feathered Thorn)

Crocallis elinguaria (Scalloped Oak)

Ectropis crepuscularia (The Engrailed)

Epirrita autumnata (Autumnal Moth)

Eupithecia pusillata (Juniper Pug) – Americas only

Eupithecia subfuscata (Grey Pug)

Eupithecia vulgata (Common Pug)

Hemithea aestivaria (Common Emerald)

Lomaspilis marginata (Clouded Border)

Odontopera bidentata (Scalloped Hazel)

Operophtera brumata (Winter Moth)

Opisthograptis luteolata (Brimstone Moth)

Hepialidae

Sthenopis argenteomaculatus

Sthenopis purpurascens

Lymantriidae

Euproctis chrysorrhoea (Brown-tail)

Euproctis similis (Yellow-tail)

Lymantria dispar (Gypsy Moth)

Noctuidae

Acronicta leporina (The Miller)

Acronicta megacephala (Poplar Grey)

Acronicta psi (Grey Dagger)

Acronicta tridens (Dark Dagger)

Agrochola circellaris (The Brick) – recorded on common osier (S. viminalis)

Amphipyra berbera (Svensson's Copper Underwing)

Amphipyra tragopoginis (Mouse Moth)

Antitype chi (Grey Chi)

Catocala cara (Darling Underwing) – prefers black willow (S. nigra)

Catocala delilah (Delilah Underwing)

Catocala junctura (Joined Underwing)

Cosmia trapezina (The Dun-bar)

Diarsia mendica (Ingrailed Clay)

Diarsia rubi (Small Square-spot)

Eugnorisma glareosa (Autumnal Rustic)

Euplexia lucipara (Small Angle Shades)

Eupsilia transversa (The Satellite)

Melanchra persicariae (Dot Moth)

Naenia typica (The Gothic)

Noctua comes (Lesser Yellow Underwing)

Noctua janthina (Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing)

Ochropleura plecta (Flame Shoulder)

Orthosia cerasi (Common Quaker)

Orthosia gothica (Hebrew Character)

Xestia triangulum (Double Square-spot)

Xestia xanthographa (Square-spot Rustic)

Notodontidae

Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten)

Nadata gibbosa (Rough Prominent)

Phalera bucephala (Buff-tip)

Ptilodon capucina (Coxcomb Prominent)

Nymphalidae

Limenitis archippus (Viceroy Butterfly)

Limenitis arthemis (American White Admiral/Red-spotted Purple) – recorded on beaked willow (S. bebbiana) and others

Pyralidae

Endotricha flammealis

Saturniidae

Automeris io (Io Moth)

Pavonia pavonia (Emperor Moth)

Sphingidae

Laothoe populi (Poplar Hawk-moth)

Smerinthus jamaicensis (Twin-spotted Sphinx)

References

List of Lepidoptera that feed on willows Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

Monophagous species

Polyphagous species

References