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PEST AWARENESS

Pseudobunaea irius

Poplar Emperor Moth

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Description:

Larvae. First instar larvae are orange-brown. Later instars are leaf-green with thin yellow lateral lines, orange spiracles (breathing holes), with short silver tubercles (bumps). Larvae grow up to 80 mm long.
Adults. Adult moths have orange, pinkish-brown, greyish or yellow wings with distinct ‘eyespots’ on hind-wing which are ringed with grey and black. The body is the same colour as the wings but white underneath. Wingspan of adults is 100-120 mm.

Life-cycle:

This insect is known to have two generations per year in South Africa. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves and emerge after approximately two weeks. Emerging larvae feed on the leaves of their host. There are five larval instars. The first larval instar is gregarious (feed together), but later instars are solitary. Larvae are very well camouflaged against the foliage. The larval phase lasts approximately two months, after which the larvae drop to the ground and pupate just under the soil. Pupation takes either two or eight months. Moths emerge, mate and lay eggs. The adult (moth) phase lasts for just over a week.

Recorded Hosts:

Indigenous trees such as Camel’s Foot and the Common Coral Tree, and cultivated trees such as oaks, poplars, eucalypts, Black Wattle and pines.

Control:

This insect is native to South Africa and various natural enemies have been reported. These include egg, larval and pupal parasites, entomopathogenic fungi, viruses and bacteria, as well as spiders and birds. These natural enemies should generally regulate populations of this insect, but outbreaks have been known to occur. Insecticides should be used with caution as insecticides could also affect the natural enemies. In the past, feral pigs were used very successfully to control emperor moths, as the pigs dug up and ate the pupae.
If you notice this insect feeding on your trees, please contact:
Brett Hurley
Tree Protection Cooperative Programme
Phone: 012 420 5822
Cell: 082 9093211
Email: brett.hurley@fabi.up.ac.za