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Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Haworth
Gymnoscelis pumilata Hübner

Insecta, Lepidoptera, Geometridae .

Olive geometrid moth

Description, Biology, Life Cycle, Damage, Common Names, Images

[R]Description
- Adult: moth of triangular shape when in repose. Wingspan: 13 to 17 mm; body length: 8 mm. Fore wings, usually pale brown to greyish, marked with two wavy transversal bands, followed by two paler lines (*) .
- Eggs: oval, 0.5 mm at widest diameter; the chorion, yellow in colour, with fine, angular reticulation.
- Larva: the caterpillar, equipped with two pairs of prolegs on the 7th and last abdominal segments, walks in the manner typical of the Geometridae. 10 mm long, generally brick red to brownish red, with a straw yellow dorsal band turning into triangular markings posteriorly.
- Pupa: shiny pale ochreous, about 7 mm long, completely encased in a flattened, closely woven oval cocoon.

[R]Biology
- A polyphagous species, this moth attacks olive, Citrus, maize, and sorghum. It also feeds on heather (Erica), box (Buxus) and clematis (Clematis).
- The first adults emerging from overwintering pupae appear in the spring. After mating, they move to flower buds where the caterpillars will feed.
Each female lays between 50 and 90 eggs. Embryonic development takes 8 to 12 days.
- Larval development lasts from 26 to 45 days, depending on food supplies and especially on climatic conditions.
- Pupation lasts 14 to 22 days.

[R]Life Cycle
3 to 4 generations a year, depending on the host. Pupae overwinter.

[R]Damage
The anthophagous larvae destroy flower buds; the caterpillar destroys the reproductive structures and consumes part of the petals. Its entery point is often marked by a circular hole.

[R]Common Names
DE: Ölbaumspanner ES: Falena del olivo FR: Phalène de l'olivier IT: Misurino dei fiori PT: Borboleta-dos-botões-florais GB: Olive geometrid moth

[R] Images

  1. Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Haworth) Moth (Coutin R. in Arambourg)

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