Siberian silkworm caterpillar and butterfly

The Siberian silkworm is widely known to residents of the Ural, Siberian, and Far Eastern regions. The Siberian silkworm caterpillar is a pest that parasitizes needles. Prefers larch; fir and spruce suffer less often from invasion. When there are a large number of Siberian silkworm larvae on a tree, the plant stops developing, the needles turn yellow and fall off. A person has to take measures to combat butterflies and their caterpillars.

Classification and types of butterflies

The large order of Lepidoptera includes more than 158 thousand representatives.
There are several classification systems for butterflies, quite complex and confusing, with constant changes occurring in them. The most successful scheme is considered to be one that divides this order into four suborders: 1) Primary toothed moths. These are small butterflies, the wingspan of which ranges from 4 to 15 mm, with a gnawing type mouthparts and antennae that reach a length of up to 75% of the size of the front wings. The family consists of 160 species of butterflies.

Typical representatives are:

golden smallwing ( Micropteryx calthella
);
marigold marigold ( Micropteryx calthella
).

2) Proboscis butterflies. The wingspan of these insects, covered with dark small scales with cream or black spots, does not exceed 25 mm. Until 1967, they were classified as primary toothed moths, with which this family has much in common.

The most famous butterflies from this suborder:

flour moth ( Asopia farinalis L.
),
spruce cone moth ( Dioryctrica abieteila).

3) Heterobathmiidae, represented by one family Heterobathmiidae

4) Proboscis butterflies, which make up the largest suborder, consisting of several dozen families, which include more than 150 thousand species of butterflies. The appearance and size of representatives of this suborder are very diverse. Below are several families demonstrating the diversity of proboscis butterflies.

Swallowtail family, represented by medium and large butterflies with a wingspan from 50 to 280 mm. The pattern on the wings of butterflies consists of black, red or blue spots of various shapes, clearly visible on a white or yellow background. The most famous of them are:
Sailboat "Glory of Bhutan";
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing and others.

Swallowtail butterfly

Family Nymphalidae, a characteristic feature of which is the absence of thickened veins on wide, angular wings with variegated colors and a variety of patterns. The wingspan of butterflies varies from 50 to 130 mm. Representatives of this family are:
Day peacock butterfly;
Butterfly hives;
Mourning butterfly, etc.

Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)

Day peacock butterfly

Urticaria butterfly (Aglais urticae)

Mourning butterfly

, represented by moths with narrow wings, the span of which does not exceed 13 cm and has a characteristic pattern. The abdomen of these insects is thickened and fusiform. The most famous butterflies of this family:
Hawkmoth oleander;
Poplar hawk moth.

Family Noctuid moths, which includes more than 35,000 species of moths. The span of the furry wings, gray with a metallic tint, averages 35 mm. However, in South America, there is a species of butterfly called tisania agrippina with a wingspan of 31 cm or the atlas peacock eye, the size of which resembles a medium-sized bird.

What does a gypsy moth look like?

The gypsy moth is a butterfly belonging to the order of Lepidoptera from the family of moths. A distinctive feature of these insects is the noticeable differences between male and female individuals. The photo shows how males and females of the gypsy moth differ.

Differences in adults are noticeable in color and shape:

Females - the size of the wings when unfolded reaches 90 mm. The thick body has the shape of a cylinder. A grayish fluff is visible on the abdomen. The antennae are thin and long.
Male - wingspan 40-50 mm, body thin, covered with hairs. The color of the wings is brown, the surface is covered with a pattern of dark spots and broken lines. The antennae are comb-like.

Gypsy moth butterflies prefer open forests, dry places with sufficient light. The first centers of spread are usually located on the edges. During droughts, large outbreaks of mass reproduction of silkworms occur. This species is the leader among pests in terms of the number of outbreaks of reproduction and the duration of these periods.

Sources

https://apest.ru/nasekomye/babochki/vidy-babochek-i-gusenits/tutovyj-shelkopryad/
https://stopvreditel.ru/rastenij/lesov/sosnovyj-kokonopryad.html
https://skanvordoff.ru/query/empty/%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%BE%20%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BB %D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%80%D1%8F%D0%B4%D0%B0
https://sadsamslabo.ru/vrediteli-sadovyx-rastenij/shelkopryad-monashenka-opisanie-foto-chem-opasna-kak-borotsya.html
https://givotniymir.ru/tutovyj-shelkopryad-nasekomoe-obraz-zhizni-i-sreda-obitaniya-tutovogo-shelkopryada/
https://BeetleStop.ru/neparnyiy-shelkopryad/

Useful properties of silk thread

The productive ability of the silkworm is simply unique; in just a month it is capable of increasing its weight ten thousand times. At the same time, the caterpillar manages to lose “extra pounds” four times within a month.

To feed thirty thousand caterpillars you will need a ton of mulberry leaves, enough for the insects to weave five kilograms of silk thread. The usual production rate of five thousand caterpillars yields one kilogram of silk thread.

One silk cocoon gives 90 grams

natural fabric. The length of one of the silk cocoon threads can exceed 1 km. Now imagine how much work a silkworm needs to do if, on average, 1,500 cocoons are spent on one silk dress.

Silkworm saliva contains sericin, a substance that protects silk from pests such as moths and mites. The caterpillar secretes matting substances of sheer origin (silk glue) from which it weaves a silk thread. Despite the fact that most of this substance is lost during the production of silk fabric, even the little that remains in the silk fibers can protect the fabric from the appearance of dust mites. Thanks to serecin, silk has hypoallergenic properties. Due to its elasticity and incredible strength, silk thread is used in surgery for suturing. Silk is used in aviation; parachutes and balloon shells are sewn from silk fabric.

How to destroy

There are various methods of struggle. 1 of the safest are forestry activities, including:

planting evenly closed plantings;
formation of a shrub layer;
soil enrichment with nitrogen;
planting deciduous trees between pine trees.

It is very important to treat the needles on time.
Chemicals are used for spraying. Regularly inspect existing plantings for the presence of pests. Use biological measures. Experts recommend attracting insectivorous birds to the site. These are natural enemies of silkworms.

Lifestyle

It has been noted that males, when spinning a cocoon from a single silk thread, spend a little more vital resource and time on this. As a result, the male’s cocoon turns out to be 25% heavier than that of the female. The process of creating a silk cocoon is very labor-intensive and troublesome, releasing two strong, but at the same time thin threads from the lower lip, the caterpillar weaves its house for 18-25 days to transform into a butterfly.

An important point in the life of a silkworm is the arrangement of a place for forging: thin rods must be installed in it, and it is in them that the silkworm will weave its house. The size of the cocoon reaches 38 mm, it is very dense with closed edges.

Reproduction and lifespan of the silkworm

Reproduction in this insect occurs in the same way as in most others. About ten days pass between the female laying her eggs and the first appearance of the caterpillars.

With artificial breeding, the temperature is set at 23-25 degrees. Silkworm caterpillar

Each subsequent day he eats more and more food.

In the photo there are silkworm caterpillars

On the fifth day, the larva stops feeding, freezes, and the next day, when it crawls out of the old skin, it begins to feed again. In this way four molts occur. At the end of development, the larva turns one month old. Under her lower jaw there is the same papilla from which the silk thread is released.

Silkworm thread

, despite its very small thickness, it can withstand up to 15 grams of load. Even newly born larvae can secrete it. Very often it is used as a rescue tool - if danger arises, the caterpillar can hang on it.

The photo shows a silkworm thread

At the end of the life cycle, the caterpillar feeds little, and by the time the construction of the cocoon begins, feeding stops completely. At this time, the gland that secretes the silk thread becomes so full that it always reaches for the caterpillar.

At the same time, the caterpillar exhibits restless behavior, trying to find a place to build a cocoon - a small branch. The cocoon is built within three to four days, and it takes up to a kilometer of silk thread.

There are cases when several caterpillars spin one cocoon for two, three or four individuals, but this happens rarely. The silkworm cocoon itself

weighs about three grams, has a length of up to two centimeters, but some specimens reach a length of up to six centimeters.

The photo shows a silkworm cocoon

They vary slightly in shape - it can be round, oval, ovoid or slightly flattened. The color of the cocoon is often white, but there are specimens whose color is close to golden or even greenish.

The silkworm hatches after about three weeks. It does not have a jaw, so it makes a hole with the help of saliva, which eats away the cocoon. During artificial breeding, the pupae are killed, otherwise the cocoon damaged after the butterfly is not suitable for obtaining silk thread. In some countries, the killed pupa is considered a delicacy.

Silkworm farming is widespread. For this purpose, mechanized farms are created to produce yarn, from which real silkworm silk

In the photo there is a farm for the production of silk thread

The clutch of eggs laid by the female is kept in an incubator until the larvae hatch. As food, the larvae receive their usual food - mulberry leaves. All air parameters in the premises are controlled for the successful development of the larvae.

Pupation occurs on special branches. When creating a cocoon, males secrete more silk thread, so silkworm breeders try to increase the number of males.

Butterflies, thanks to which people have the opportunity to wear silk things, appeared on the planet a long time ago. As early as the fifth millennium BC, silkworm cocoons were used by people.

The wild silkworm, without knowing it, played a big role in the history of the states of the ancient world. You can learn about this from the video.

Nowadays, the range of insect uses is very wide. Fried larvae and pupae in Korea are considered a delicacy, a delicious dish that they rush to feed guests, although Europeans do not consider them a delicacy. The larvae contain a large amount of protein, which is why they are so popular among gourmets.

In addition, larvae are used to obtain medicines, in cosmetology, medicine, and the list goes on.

The leaders in silk production are India and China; the mulberry tree is found almost everywhere here, so the silkworm has all the conditions for its growth. Unfortunately, there are many more silk connoisseurs than those who are interested in this inconspicuous, but very hardworking insect.

Let's look at the features, characteristics of the insect, the reproduction process and try to answer the question - what role does the silkworm play in human life.

Lonomia obliqua

Many species of Lonomia have very colorful larvae. The “cub’s” bright appearance didn’t just happen. They are poisonous.

The poison of Lonomia obliqua kills several people a year in South American countries. But it's not all that scary. In fact, lonomia venom enters the human body in small doses. A single touch to the hollow spines of the lonomia will not do much harm. To be fatal, you need to touch the caterpillar 20 to 100 times, depending on the body’s resistance. Getting such a dose of poison is actually not difficult. It is enough to accidentally touch a cluster of caterpillars on a tree trunk. Due to their protective coloration, these larvae are difficult to notice.

The toxic substance has an anticoagulant effect and can accumulate in the body. When a critical dose of poison is reached, a person begins to experience internal bleeding, which can lead to death. Intracranial hemorrhage is especially dangerous.

Lonomiya

Silkworm on an apple tree: how to fight with chemical and folk methods

Drug: the name of the pesticide, its formulation, content of active substance, registrant, state registration number, restrictions and expiration date of registration are indicated. Numerical designations separated by fractions from (1) to (4) after the registrant indicate the hazard classes of the drugs. The numerator is the hazard class for humans, the denominator is for bees in field conditions. (P) – prohibition of use in the sanitary zone around fishery reservoirs at a distance of 500 m from the flood line at maximum flood waters, but not closer than 2 km from the existing banks. For pesticides intended for pre-sowing treatment of seeds, it is prohibited to treat seeds in the specified zone; sowing of treated seeds is permitted.

Application rate: the application rates for pesticides are indicated (by preparation): for solid formulations – in kg/ha (for seed protectants – in kg/t), for liquid formulations – in l/ha (for seed protectants – in l/t ). In other cases, application rates given in other units of measurement are indicated next to the numerical value of the pesticide application rate. The application rates of herbicides are given based on continuous tillage; with the belt application method, the application rate is reduced in proportion to the decrease in the cultivated area. (A) – authorization of aerial treatments in these regulations of application. (L) – permission to use the drug on private farms. Regulations for the use of the drug on private farms are presented in a separate line.

Culture: Cultures are indicated. Two crops, for example, tomato and cucumber, are indicated for both open and protected ground, unless specifically stated.

Harmful object: harmful objects against which this pesticide is recommended are indicated; for desiccants and plant growth regulators - the purpose of the drug.

Method, processing time, application features: the method, processing time, application features are posted. The expression “Consumption – 400 l/ha”, “Consumption – 12 l/t”, etc. means the flow rate of the working fluid (solution, emulsion or suspension), unless “Consumption of the working fluid” is indicated.

Waiting period (number of treatments): waiting times are indicated, with the number of treatments in parentheses. The waiting period is the time interval between treatment with the drug and harvesting, indicated in days. If the use of a pesticide is clearly one-time, for example, pre-sowing seed treatment, then a dash (-) or (1) may be indicated in the sixth column.

Time limits for manual (mechanized) work: the time for people to enter areas treated with pesticides to carry out manual (mechanized) work to care for plants is given in days.

What harm does an insect cause?

It should be remembered that each insect brings a certain benefit to green spaces. The pine cocoon moth, which can be called a forest orderly, is no exception. Its caterpillars primarily eat old needles on diseased and weakened trees.

When the population becomes too numerous, the pine cocoon moth turns into an extremely dangerous pest of pine forests.

The greatest damage to forestry is caused by cocoon moth caterpillars, which eat needles at all stages of their development and especially intensively after wintering, from early spring until

One adult caterpillar eats up to 60 needles per day, and during the entire period of development until pupation - about 1000 needles (approximately 36 g). This intensity of eating needles leads to the fact that damaged trees do not have time to recover and dry out completely.

In dry years, which are the most favorable for the reproduction of the pest, numerous populations of caterpillars can destroy tens of thousands of hectares of pine forests. An outbreak of mass reproduction in the same places can last about 5 years. When outbreaks occur in forestry, intensive control of the pine cocoon moth is carried out.

Sabotage

Caterpillars of the Siberian silkworm
It is not difficult to guess why the Siberian silkworm is dangerous. Due to the fact that the development of the larvae stretches over several years, and every spring they rise into the crowns, there is a risk of weakening the tree.

Butterflies disperse their numerous offspring to different plants. In July, mass infection covers several million hectares of forest. This causes enormous damage to forestry. The natural enemies of the Siberian silkworm are borers, bark beetles, and longhorned beetles. The photo can be seen below. Since bark beetles also cause damage to coniferous plantations, the scale of the pest increases several times more. Birds of prey eat insects.

In the mid-90s, the fight against Siberian silkworm larvae lasted 4 years. Then about 600 thousand hectares of forest area suffered from the pest invasion. Cedar trees, which were of great value to local residents, died.

Over the past 100 years, 9 outbreaks of mass pest control of silkworm caterpillars have been observed in Siberia. It was possible to stop the reproduction thanks to the use of modern insecticides. Measures to combat the Siberian silkworm on pine and other plants are constantly taken, if not to destroy the caterpillars, then to prevent their appearance. A photo of mass plant damage is presented below.

Interesting!
Sericulture is especially developed in China. Natural silk, which is obtained from silkworm threads, is highly valued. Insects are specially bred on mulberries and provide all the necessary living conditions. The cocoons are collected without allowing the butterflies to be born. The length of the threads of one cocoon is about 900 m. Butterflies lead a sedentary lifestyle and practically do not fly. The larvae are not dangerous to surrounding plants.

Spreading

Distribution of the gypsy moth in the United States by year

The gypsy moth is distributed throughout Europe, Asia Minor, Turkestan, the Caucasus, throughout Siberia, Japan and North America. This species is characterized by outbreaks of mass reproduction followed by the consumption of deciduous forests and gardens over large areas. Caterpillars eat foliage on almost all deciduous trees, of which they especially love oak ( Quercus

) and linden (
Tilia
), but ash (
Fraxinus
) and alder (
Alnus
) are not touched, as well as[
clarify
] and pear (
Pyrus
); when there is a lack of deciduous trees, they sometimes attack coniferous trees and, destroying their seedlings in nurseries, cause noticeable harm. The Asian race of gypsy moth is classified as quarantine objects in Russia.

Previously, there was a popular story about the spread of the gypsy moth in North America due to the carelessness of an amateur entomologist. Silkworm eggs were believed to have been brought to the United States in the late 1860s by astronomer and amateur entomologist Etienne Léopold Trouvelot for experiments in crossing the species with the silkworm (Bombyx mori).

The experiments were carried out on Trouvelot's personal property, but the larvae quickly spread throughout the nearby forests. Trouvelo contacted his colleagues to resolve the problem, but no action was taken at that time. It was not until 1889 that the gypsy moth was recognized as a pest in the United States. It is currently believed that the number of escaped insects would not be enough to cause a pest outbreak.

Siberian silkworm - a threat to the coniferous forest

It is possible to cope with the worst pest of coniferous species only with the help of carefully organized detailed supervision and compliance with all sanitary treatment requirements. The fact that it is quite difficult to achieve real results in the destruction of insects of this species is evidenced by the dead forests of Siberia and the Far East.

Territories that require special attention from supervisory organizations:

Areas that have experienced drought;
Area affected by fires.

The experience of past years shows that it was in such regions, weakened by fires or climatic reasons, that the silkworm population began to grow, often developing into huge foci of infection.

Preventive and exterminatory disinfestation are the only control measures that can deal a crushing blow to the parasite.

Types of caterpillars - photos and names

Among the great variety of different caterpillars, the following varieties are of greatest interest:

Cabbage caterpillar or cabbage white butterfly caterpillar (Pieris brassicae)

lives throughout Eastern Europe, northern Africa to the Japanese islands, and was also introduced to South America. The caterpillar is 3.5 cm long, has 16 legs and has a light green body covered with black warts and short black hairs. Depending on the weather, the caterpillar stage lasts from 13 to 38 days. These caterpillars feed on cabbage, horseradish, radishes, turnips, turnips and shepherd's purse. They are considered the main pest of cabbage.

Moth (land surveyor) caterpillar (Geometridae)

It is characterized by a long thin body and undeveloped abdominal legs, due to which it has an original method of movement - it bends in a loop, while pulling the abdominal legs towards the pectoral legs. The family includes more than 23 thousand species of moths distributed throughout the world. All types of caterpillars of this family have well-developed muscles, and therefore are able to attach themselves vertically to plants, perfectly imitating broken branches and petioles. The color of the caterpillars is similar to the color of foliage or bark, which additionally serves as an excellent camouflage. They eat tree needles, currants and hazel.

Great harpy caterpillar (Cerura vinula = Dicranura vinula)

lives throughout Europe, Central Asia and northern Africa. Adult caterpillars grow up to 6 cm and are distinguished by a green body with a purple diamond on the back, bordered by a white outline. In case of danger, the caterpillar inflates, takes a threatening pose and sprays out a caustic substance. The insect remains in the caterpillar stage from early summer to September, feeding on the leaves of plants from the willow and poplar families, including the common aspen.

Redtail caterpillar (Calliteara pudibunda)

found in the forest-steppe zone throughout Eurasia, as well as in Asia Minor and Central Asia. The caterpillar, up to 5 cm long, is pinkish, brown or gray in color. The body is densely covered with individual hairs or tufts of hair, at the end there is a tail of protruding crimson-colored hairs. This is a poisonous caterpillar: upon contact with human skin, it causes a painful allergy. These caterpillars eat the foliage of various trees and shrubs, especially preferring hops.

Silkworm caterpillar (Bombyx mori) or silkworm

Lives in East Asia: in northern China and Russia, in the southern regions of Primorye. The caterpillar is 6-7 cm long, its wavy body is densely covered with blue and brown hairy warts. After 4 molts, completing the 32-day development cycle, the color of the caterpillar becomes yellow. The food of the silkworm caterpillar is exclusively mulberry leaves. This insect has been actively used in sericulture since the 27th century BC. e.

Corrosive woodworm caterpillar (Zeuzera pyrina)

from the carpenter family. It is found in all European countries except the Far North, as well as in South Africa, Southeast Asia and North America. It overwinters twice, during which time it changes color from yellow-pink to yellow-orange with black, glossy warts. The length of the insect is 5-6 cm. Caterpillars live inside the branches and trunks of various trees, feeding on their juices.

Caterpillar of the lady bear (Callimorpha dominula) or girl bear

lives in Eastern and Western Europe and southeast Asia. It overwinters once and is distinguished by its black and blue color with yellow stripes and spots. Lives on nettles, geraniums, willows, raspberries, strawberries, and feeds on them.

Swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio machaon)

lives throughout Europe, Asia, northern Africa and North America. One of the most colorful caterpillars: at first black, with scarlet warts, and as it grows it becomes green with black transverse stripes. Each stripe contains 6-8 red-orange spots. The disturbed caterpillar secretes an odorous orange-yellow liquid. It feeds on carrots, celery, wormwood, parsley, and sometimes alder leaves.

The smallest caterpillar in the world is a member of the moth family.

For example, clothes moth caterpillars (Tineola bisselliella), which have just emerged from eggs, reach a length of only 1 mm.

The largest caterpillar in the world is the Attacus atlas caterpillar.

The bluish-green caterpillar, as if dusted with white dust, grows up to 12 cm in length.

Winged pests in garden beds

Vegetables occupy a significant place in the human diet. The balance of our diet depends on their quality and quantity. And any summer resident always wants to get rid of butterflies in the garden in order to preserve the harvest in full.

Fall armyworm

With the onset of dusk, the active summer of the winter armyworm begins. To lay eggs, dark brown females choose plants in open spaces; butterfly clutches can be found on strawberries. During a season, one individual can lay up to 2000 eggs (10-30 eggs in one place).

The development of caterpillars takes 24-30 days, after which they burrow into the ground. By digging a depression up to 6 cm, they pupate. The second generation caterpillars also overwinter in the ground (up to 20-25 cm). After the soil warms up, they rise to the surface of the earth. Mass emergence of butterflies is observed in May.

Acacia moth (legume)

A light yellow butterfly with medium-sized fore wings (span - 25-30 mm), the hind wings are grayish in color. The female moth lays 100-600 greenish-yellow eggs. In 110-120 days of life, the acacia moth manages to make 2-3 clutches. After 4-21 days (depending on the generation), caterpillars with pink bodies and a yellow shield appear.

Depending on the air temperature and nutrition, the caterpillars develop within 20-40 days. Pupation occurs on the ground, sometimes caterpillars form cocoons at a depth of 2-5 cm, strengthening them with particles of earth. Moth moths appear after 12-15 days.

Onion moth

A small butterfly of light gray or chocolate color with wings measuring 11-15 mm. The female lays 60-80 eggs in the area of the neck of the onion or on shoots. A week later, caterpillars appear, eating the inside of the onion.

After 15-20 days, pupation begins. During the growing season, usually 2-3 generations have time to mature. The age of onion moths is observed after 10-20 days.

Cabbage scoop

The spotted gray-brown wings of the cabbage cutworm reach a span of 35-60 mm. It flies mainly at night. At the same time, the female lays 40-60 (up to 700 per season) eggs.

Adult caterpillars (body size up to 25-30 mm) are ready for pupation. They make cocoons by burrowing 8-10 cm into the ground. In the spring, the butterfly flight begins.

Cabbage moth

The sickle-winged butterfly with wings of 15-18 mm causes great damage to field crops. The light brown female lays 100-300 eggs, grouping them in groups of 4-5. A week later, caterpillars appear, which molt 3-4 times during their development. In search of fresh greens, they can crawl into beds with radishes.

Adult caterpillars (body length - 11 mm) pupate, attaching a cocoon to the back of the leaf. The moth's flight begins in 35-40 days. During the summer season, (depending on the climate) from 2 to 10 generations of cabbage moths can develop.

Cabbage white (cabbage)

Large butterflies with powdery white wings (span up to 60 mm) and dark rims along the edges. The females have large black spots on their wings. Female individuals lay 100-300 ribbed, lemon-yellow eggs.

The voracious caterpillars appear on days 6-8; they often crawl onto neighboring plants. Before the butterflies emerge, they remain in the chrysalis for 8-17 days. During the summer season, 2-4 generations of cabbage may appear.

exclamation scoop

A large butterfly (body length 30-40 mm) with large brown-brown wings (span 32-45 mm). The color of the male is lighter - from yellow-brown to gray-yellow. At the top of the wings there are two round black spots, at the base there are wedge-shaped wide stripes, the outlines of which resemble an exclamation mark.

The female lays eggs on fallen leaves. The eggs are ribbed, translucent with a greenish tint (diameter 0.7-0.9 mm). After 12-14 days, yellowish-white caterpillars appear (the length of an adult is 30-40 mm). Over time they turn red. A black stripe stretches along the back, which forms small triangles on each segment of the caterpillar's body.

Yellow-brown pupae (cocoon length - 12-14 mm) are equipped with sharp spines, and there are two tubercles on the sides. They overwinter in fallen leaves or in the surface layers of the soil. The adult caterpillars (4th-5th generation) remaining for the winter can go deeper into the surface layers of the soil (up to 10 cm); the butterfly flight begins at the end of May.

Appearance of the caterpillar

The peacock eye larva is a black caterpillar similar to the larvae of the peacock eye. This is a very beautiful and interesting type of caterpillar. There are long, needle-like processes all over the body. The body appears to be covered with numerous pimples. The color does not give away its parents - multi-colored, bright moths with a predominance of red shades.

The peacock eye caterpillar has a head, abdomen, and chest. The oral apparatus and digestive system are well developed, providing almost continuous nutrition. Due to this, the peacock eye caterpillar grows quickly.

It is born miniature - about 1 mm. During the entire development cycle - from 4 to 6 weeks, it molts four times. Constantly increasing in size. Food is not visible through the durable black chitinous cover, which is typical for other larvae of butterflies and moths. On the inside of the body there are legs that allow peacock eye caterpillars to crawl along tree bark and leaves.

The peacock eye caterpillar is pictured below.

Peacock eye caterpillars

Why are silkworms dangerous?

Damage to the gypsy moth
The gypsy moth causes significant damage to fruit trees and shrubs. Gardeners often have to fight caterpillars on apple trees. Strawberries, cranberries, lingonberries and other cultivated cereals suffer from it. Caterpillars pose an immediate danger by eating buds, leaves and flowers. In just 2 months of its development, one individual is capable of eating about 30 young leaves. If there are large numbers of caterpillars on a tree, they will leave the plant completely without foliage. This leads to his death.

Considering that the silkworm makes 5-6 clutches, there is a serious threat to garden and vegetable crops. To prevent this from happening, humanity has to constantly fight silkworms. For this, various methods are used, including manual collection of caterpillars. It is also recommended to use preventive measures, which include treating trees with special means.

Protecting your garden from ringed silkworms without insecticides

If more than 15% of the green cover is affected by caterpillars, you need to start taking action. The question quite reasonably arises: how to deal with the ringed silkworm? There are different methods, ranging from manual removal of the population to the use of potent insecticides.

Mandatory prevention consists of periodic inspections of berry and fruit crops, identifying traces of pests.
Many summer residents - ardent opponents of spraying with "chemicals" - fight caterpillars or spiral clutches of eggs by mechanical means, breaking off and destroying the affected branches. Silkworms lay eggs on bare branches in rings surrounding them. It is better to remove parasites in late autumn or winter.
For destruction, a horse beetle trap and a gauze drag are used.
Glue belts (rings) on trunks are effective. On them, egg clutches are located low above the ground. They can be removed by simply scraping or treating the wood with kerosene, gasoline, or other composition. The collected material is burned or buried in the ground to a depth of at least half a meter. If spider nests and larvae are found in the green crown after flowering, in cloudy weather, in the morning, before the larvae crawl out of the nest, they are removed and destroyed.
Population control and catching of butterflies is carried out using traps. Pheromone or light. With the onset of the first twilight, containers (basins, bowls, troughs) with water and oil and kerosene added to it are installed in the garden. A “bat” or an electric lamp is suspended from a tree branch above the basin. Flocking to the light, the butterflies fall into the water and die there. UVR is also effective as bait.

With a small population, you can try to destroy clutches with caterpillars

Nutrition

Hairy caterpillars in most cases eat plant foods - juices of fruits, plants, nectar. However, among them there are predators that eat their own kind - weakened, diseased larvae, butterflies, other small insects, and aphids.

Polyphages are absolutely indiscriminate in their food, eating almost all vegetation. They lead a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle.
Oligophages eat plants of a certain species or genus. Thus, the caterpillar of the swallowtail butterfly feeds exclusively on umbrellas.
Monophages live and eat one plant. If a particular shrub is heavily infested, other plant species adjacent to it remain completely safe.
Xylophages do not eat anything except wood. This group of caterpillars is always distinguished by a large number of individuals in one brood.

The transitional form is furry creatures that eat tinder fungi and lichens. A separate group includes keratophages, which feed on elements of animal origin - horny cover, wool, skin, hair.

Furry caterpillars

The hairy caterpillar butterfly is an ancient inhabitant of our planet, whose roots go back to the time of dinosaurs. There is a huge variety of larvae in the world, distinguished by their unusual appearance and the presence of body hairs of different lengths. A photo of the furry caterpillar is presented below.

Russian species

These butterflies are common not only in Russia, but throughout the Eurasian continent. Only the Redtail larva has a characteristic feature. The offspring of Marching silkworms are characterized by nondescript coloring. Their only distinguishing feature is long bristles. Therefore, photos of poisonous caterpillars in Russia along with their descriptions are below.

Redtail (Calliteara pudibunda)

This is the name of the night butterfly - a pest of fruit crops, in which a semblance of red color is present only on the mustache. But this name was given to this insect because of the larvae. Caterpillars of the Red-tailed Caterpillar/Bashful-footed Caterpillar can have different colors:

grey;
pink;
dark brown;
lemon yellow.

But the obligatory sign of a caterpillar of this species is a tuft of long crimson or crimson-red hairs sticking up at the rear end of the larva. The insect is not capable of causing serious harm. Contact with the hairs on the caterpillar's body causes an allergic reaction in a person in the form of a rash. Habitat: Eurasia, except the Far North. Prefers beech and oak forests.

Marching silkworm (Thaumetopoeidae)

Russian species of poisonous caterpillars

There are several species of this family. Silkworms are absent only on the American continents and Australia. There are two species in Russia:

pine silkworm (Thaumetopoea pinivora), feeding on pine needles;
The oak silkworm (T. processionea) feeds on oak leaves.

These butterflies received the prefix “walking” because their caterpillars move strictly one after another, guided by the silk thread of the individual in front.

Hiking silkworms are malicious pests that can destroy entire hectares of forests. They received the name “silkworm” for entwining “unlucky” trees with silk thread. Hiking has no relation to sericulture, for which the silkworm is used.

The larvae of the moth are covered with thick, long bristles. The bristles have microscopic serrations that help them penetrate the body of the “offender.”

Therefore, the poison of the silkworm caterpillar is questionable. The bristles embedded in the skin can only move inside the body. They are very brittle and impossible to remove. As parts of the bristles move inward, they cause itching, scratching, and blistering. This is a normal reaction of the skin to irritants. Those who “caught” the smallest protective needles of the prickly pear cactus into their skin received a similar reaction on the skin.

Russian dangerous caterpillars usually have bristles that are not toxic, but easily break off and reward their offender with a mass of small splinters. It is not recommended to touch any furry caterpillars. And you can see how easily these larvae lose their bristles when touched by touching them with a stick.

A general safety principle for caterpillars of any type of butterfly: never touch those protected by bristles.

Danger to humans

Butterflies pose no danger to humans, but with caterpillars the situation is different.

The common pine and marching silkworm at the caterpillar stage has hair on which there are toxic substances. The poison is contained in minimal doses and is designed to protect the caterpillar from insects and birds. However, it can also cause trouble for a person. Naturally, you cannot be poisoned by the poison from the caterpillar hairs, but it greatly irritates the mucous membranes and skin. Therefore, handling the cocoon moth at the caterpillar stage is strongly not recommended.

Eggs

After fertilization, the female lays from 500 to 700 eggs - green. The shape is oval, elongated, flattened on the sides. The size of one egg does not exceed 1 mm in length and 0.5 mm in width. On one side along the length of the grain there is a depression, on the other there is a convexity. The color is off-white, milky, yellowish immediately after laying, purple towards the end of larval maturation. If the color scheme does not change, this means the death of the embryo inside.

The ripening period of greenberries is long; when the temperature drops, metabolic processes slow down and development stops. The female lays eggs in July-August. Development continues in early spring, when larvae emerge from the eggs. At constant high temperatures of more than +15 degrees Celsius, larvae may appear in the same year.

What harm does an insect cause?

When the population becomes too numerous, the pine cocoon moth turns into an extremely dangerous pest of pine forests.

The greatest damage to forestry is caused by cocoon moth caterpillars, which eat needles at all stages of their development and especially intensively after wintering, from early spring until

Sources

https://apest.ru/nasekomye/babochki/vidy-babochek-i-gusenits/sibirskij-shelkopryad/
https://MosEcoService.ru/stati/sibirskij-shelkopryad-dendrolimus-sibiricus/
https://fb.ru/article/408640/sosnovyiy-shelkopryad-opisanie-s-foto-sreda-obitaniya-razmnojenie-nanosimyiy-vred-i-metodyi-borbyi
https://nashzeleniymir.ru/%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%BA%D0%B0
https://stopvreditel.ru/rastenij/lesov/sosnovyj-kokonopryad.html

Notes

↑ 12345
[insects.botgard.uran.ru/node/6 Siberian silkworm (Dendrolimus superans sibiricus Tschetv.)] (Russian). uran.ru. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
↑ 1234
[www.pesticidy.ru/pest/dendrolimus_sibiricus Siberian silkworm (cocoon moth)] (Russian). www.pesticidy.ru. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
Tabata S., Tamanuki K.
On the Hymenopterous Parasites of the Pine Caterpillar, Dendrolimus sibiricus albolineatus Mats, in southern Sakhalin.. - Konuma, Sakhalin, 1940.

Butterfly - description. The structure and appearance of butterflies.

The structure of the butterfly has two main sections: the body, protected by a hard chitinous shell, and the wings.

A butterfly is an insect whose body consists of:

Head, inactively connected to the chest. The butterfly's head has a round shape with a slightly flattened occipital part. The round or oval convex eyes of the butterfly in the form of hemispheres, occupying most of the lateral surface of the head, have a complex facet structure. Butterflies have color vision and perceive moving objects better than stationary ones. In many species, additional simple parietal eyes are located behind the antennae. The structure of the oral apparatus depends on the species and can be of the sucking or gnawing type.

The breast of a butterfly has a three-segment structure. The front part is significantly smaller than the middle and back part, where three pairs of legs are located, which have a structure characteristic of insects. On the shins of the butterfly's front legs there are spurs designed to maintain the hygiene of the antennae.
The abdomen of a butterfly has the shape of an elongated cylinder, consisting of ten ring-shaped segments with spiracles located on them.

Butterfly structure

The antennae of the butterfly are located on the border of the parietal and frontal parts of the head. They help butterflies navigate their surroundings by sensing air vibrations and various odors. The length and structure of the antennae depend on the species.

Butterfly antennae

Moth antennae

Two pairs of butterfly wings, covered with flat scales of different shapes, have a membranous structure and are penetrated by transverse and longitudinal veins. The size of the hind wings can be the same as the front wings or significantly smaller than them. The pattern of butterfly wings varies from species to species and captivates with its beauty. In macro photography, the scales on the wings of butterflies are very clearly visible - they can have completely different shapes and colors.

Butterfly wings – macro photography

Macro photographs of butterfly wings

The appearance and color of the butterfly’s wings serve not only for intraspecific sexual recognition, but also act as protective camouflage, allowing it to blend into its surroundings. Therefore, colors can be either monochrome or variegated with a complex pattern. The size of a butterfly, or better said, the wingspan of a butterfly, can range from 2 mm to 31 cm.

Speckled peacock butterfly wings with cobra pattern

Silkworm species

Unpaired

This is a nocturnal butterfly belonging to the moth family.

It is quite large in size, and the female differs significantly from the male in size, shape and color.

Thanks to this fact, the gypsy moth got its name.

The female's wingspan is about 8 cm. On her yellowish-white forewings, transverse wavy stripes of a dark brown color are clearly visible. The female's legs and antennae are black, and her thick abdomen is grayish-brown. Its tip is very pubescent.

The male gypsy moth can be identified by its unusual dark gray antennae, shaped like feathers. The span of its yellow-gray wings reaches no more than 4.5 cm. Wide stripes and spots of a darker color are visible on the front wings. The male's abdomen is thin with a brush of hairs at the tip.

Help - Thanks to the unusual structure of the antennae, the male gypsy moth butterfly is able to locate the female 11 km away!

The butterfly eggs are colored first yellow and then pinkish-white. Their shape is round and slightly flattened, and their diameter is no more than 1.2 mm. The hairy, brownish-gray caterpillars are distinguished by the fact that on their backs there are 11 pairs of red and blue warts, each of which is covered with a tuft of hair. The size of the caterpillars reaches 7.5 cm.

The gypsy moth overwinters in the egg stage. In early spring, caterpillars are born from them, which, crawling through the trees, begin to actively feed on buds, leaves, buds and flowers. Thanks to their hairiness and with the help of the wind, caterpillars are able to cover distances of about 12 km in search of food. They feed intensively for two months, and then weave cocoons in cracks in the bark or between leaves and pupate.

After two weeks in July-August, butterflies hatch from the cocoons. After mating, they lay eggs on the bark of tree trunks, stumps, among stones and at the bottom of fences.

The butterfly mixes the eggs with grayish fluff, as a result of which the clutches look like yellowish-gray pads up to 3 cm in diameter, completely covered with hairs.

Females are very fertile and are capable of laying up to 1200 eggs, several hundred in each clutch. It is worth saying that the eggs of the gypsy moth are very hardy and survive the winter well at low temperatures.

Now you can look at the gypsy moth in the photo:

Ringed

This is a small beige butterfly from the cocoon moth family with a wingspan of no more than 4 cm. There is a dark stripe on the front wings. The eggs of the butterfly are lead-gray and cylindrical in shape. The color of the caterpillar's cover is gray-blue with a clearly defined white line along the middle of the back and orange and black-blue on the sides. The caterpillar is about 6 cm long. It is densely covered with short, velvety, as well as long, sparse hairs.

The female ringed silkworm lays up to 400 eggs around shoots, twigs or leaf petioles. The masonry looks like a wide ring encircling the shoot. It is for this characteristic form of oviposition that the ringed silkworm gets its name.

Caterpillars emerge from the eggs remaining to overwinter in the spring when the buds swell. While actively feeding, they go through 5 stages of molting. Caterpillars usually eat at night and live in colonies, during the day accumulating in the forks of thick branches and making nests there woven from cobwebs. After about 45 days in early June, the caterpillars move into the rolled leaves, entwine them into a strong cocoon, climb inside and turn into a pupa. After a couple of weeks, a butterfly flies out of the cocoon.

Pre-sowing treatment or prevention against the appearance of wireworms in the garden

In general, the appearance of wireworms in potatoes can be prevented if the tubers are properly prepared and treated in advance.

Birch tar, potassium permanganate and mustard powder

One of the methods of such prevention is the treatment of potato tubers with birch tar. Before planting, the tubers should be briefly dipped in a solution of birch tar (preparation recipe: 1 tablespoon of the product per 1 liter of water), and then, as additional protection, pour the planting grooves (or holes) with a less strong solution (dissolve about 1 tablespoon of tar in 5-6 liter watering can).

Video: a super way to protect potatoes from wireworms using birch tar

You can also use a solution of potassium permanganate (5 g of product per 10-liter bucket of water), pouring 0.5 liters of solution into each planting hole shortly before planting.

Adding mustard powder to the hole along with hot pepper showed sufficient effectiveness.

Onion peel

Perhaps the most popular and effective remedy against wireworms is the use of onion peels. Just toss a handful into the hole when planting. You can also soak potato tubers in onion broth.

Ways to combat the click beetle directly

If you want to get rid of the click beetle and thereby prevent the appearance of its larvae - wireworms, then here is a proven method:

Plastic bottle and beer (beer trap)

To make a mechanical trap for a click beetle, you need to take an ordinary plastic bottle, cut off the top part, and insert the cut part with the neck on the back side (open the lid, of course). Pour some beer into the bottom of the trap and place it in a small hole in the garden bed. Moreover, it is better to make several such traps, depending on the size of your garden plot.

Video: a simple trap for the click beetle (clicking beetle), which will destroy all the wireworms in the area

Features of development

Siberian silkworm caterpillar and butterfly

The butterfly flight begins in the second half of July and lasts about a month. Mating occurs on the fly. The male dies soon after fertilization, the female looks for a favorable place to lay eggs. Attaches them to tree bark and leaves using a special sticky substance that is released along with the eggs.

The development of the larva inside lasts up to 22 days; under favorable conditions, the young offspring of the Siberian silkworm appear already on the 13th day. First instar caterpillars actively feed on needles and grow quickly. During the period from August to September, they increase significantly in size, and the chitinous cover becomes denser. The cycle in the photo. At the end of September, the caterpillars crawl under the bark and forest floor and remain for the winter.

With the onset of warmth - in May, the larvae rise to the crowns, where they live and feed throughout the warm season. The caterpillars undergo the second wintering at the fifth or sixth age. They continue to develop in May and pupate by the end of June. The development of a butterfly in a cocoon lasts about a month. Externally - a motionless creature, inside - the most complex processes of transformation take place. Young butterflies appear in early September. Their task is to find a secluded place for wintering. Below is a photo of the young.

Fighting methods

Fighting the Siberian silkworm
Caterpillars damage larch, oak, beech, birch, pine, spruce, aspen, fir, cedar, pear, maple. The gypsy moth prefers deciduous trees, but does not disdain coniferous trees. The first instar larvae feed during the day, and as they grow older they switch to a hidden lifestyle - they crawl out of their shelters at night.

Main control measures:

Collection and destruction of ovipositions. In small areas, young trees are scraped off by hand, trampled underfoot, or thrown into the fire. Below are photos of infected plants.
In late autumn or early spring, eggs are destroyed using petroleum products - gasoline, kerosene, motor oil. However, you should always remember that these are flammable substances; if used incorrectly, the risk of a massive fire increases.
Against the larvae, adhesive rings are used, which are placed at a level of 1.5-2 m above the ground surface, which does not allow pests to reach the crown.
In small areas, caterpillars are collected by hand and then destroyed in any way.
The most effective method is insecticidal substances. Spray crowns and tree trunks. Treatment can be carried out in early spring before or after the trees bloom. The effect of the poison lasts for 20-45 days. Repeated processing is carried out as necessary.

Every autumn and spring, you need to carefully inspect the bark of trees for the presence of eggs and larvae, and coat the trunks with a solution of lime and chalk. The life cycle of an insect spans several years, so there is always a threat of infection. Spread to other trees occurs either in early spring or late autumn. You should carefully examine the pest in the photo so that you can respond to the problem in a timely manner.

Emergence of imago

The formed silkworm moth secretes a special sticky substance that can dissolve the cover of the pupa and threads. Initially the head is shown, then the wings. For its birth, the butterfly chooses the time from 5 to 6 in the morning.

Within a few hours after birth, the mating process begins. The butterfly lives for about 20 days, but there are also long-livers who live up to 45 days. The male lives half as long. The butterfly does not eat anything, it only reproduces the young generation. Even being headless, the female does not stop this process.

The silkworm is grown specifically to produce silk threads; humans independently regulate the number of insects. To obtain raw materials, moths are not allowed to be born; the cocoon is placed in conditions unfavorable for the development of imagoes.

Lifestyle and habitat

Nowadays, the mulberry butterfly exists only in artificial conditions. Its natural life can be reproduced from its supposed original species, the wild silkworm.

This butterfly lives in Eastern China on the Korean Peninsula. It is found where there are mulberry thickets, the leaves of which are the only component in the diet of silkworm caterpillars.

In one season, 2 generations develop. That is, the wild silkworm is bivoltine. The first generation of mulberry worms emerges from eggs in April-May. The second is at the end of summer. The butterfly season lasts from spring to late summer.

Butterflies do not feed; their task is to lay eggs. They do not migrate or migrate. Due to their attachment to territory and the reduction of mulberry thickets, entire populations of wild silkworms are disappearing.