Zeuzera

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Cossoidea
Family: Cossidae
Subfamily: Zeuzerinae
Genus: Zeuzera

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Zeuzera: /zeuˈzeːra/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Zeuzera pyrina zur zulatzailea by Musde H. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Zeuzera pyrina Campo Lomaso 04 by Syrio. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Zeuzera pyrina (9242153466) by Ben Sale from UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

NHMUK015040637 Zeuzera pyrina (Linnaeus, 1761) collected by Richard Owen in 1873 by Louise Berridge / The Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Zeuzera pyrina Piazzo 02 by Syrio. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Zeuzera pyrina Piazzo 01 by Syrio. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Zeuzera pyrina, known as the leopard moth, is a members of the Cossidae family and is recognized for its distinctive appearance and behavior as a pest in orchards due to its larval feeding habits on fruit trees.

Physical Characteristics

Zeuzera pyrina has a wingspan of 35–60 millimetres (1.4–2.4 in). The male is slightly smaller than the female, with the female's abdomen measuring approximately 45–50 millimetres (1.8–2.0 in). They exhibit a white head with a black forehead, a very furry white thorax marked with six black spots, and a black abdomen with short white hair-like scales. The forewings are long and narrow, whitish with numerous black spots, while the hindwings are translucent with small black spots.

Identification Tips

Differentiates from similar species by its distinctive colorations and patterns, specifically the whitish forewings with black spots and the bipectinate antennae of the male compared to the thinner antennae of the female.

Habitat

Associated with woodland, gardens, and orchards.

Distribution

Primarily found in Europe (excluding Ireland), northern Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco), and Asia (Taiwan, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey). Introduced to the northeastern United States prior to 1879, with populations in Maine, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas.

Diet

The caterpillars are xylophagous, feeding on the wood of various deciduous trees and shrubs internally for two or three years before pupating under the bark.

Life Cycle

The moth flies from June to September depending on the location. The larvae feed internally in the wood of host plants before emerging to pupate.

Ecosystem Role

Potential pest in fruit production due to larvae feeding on fruit trees.

Economic Impact

Considered a pest by fruit growers; particularly damaging to olive and other fruit trees.

Similar Taxa

Hypercompe