Leucoma salicis
(Linnaeus, 1758)
White Satin Moth, Satin Moth
Leucoma salicis is a -sized to the Palearctic, to North America in the 1920s where it became an pest. are distinguished by pure with a silky sheen, held tent-like over the body, contrasting with striking black-and-white banded legs. feed on Salix and Populus and can cause severe damage. The species is in most of its range, with adults active in June through August.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Leucoma salicis: /luːˈkoʊmə ˈsælɪsɪs/
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Identification
distinguished from similar by combination of pure white with silky satin sheen, black and collar, and conspicuous zebra-striped black-and-white legs. Distinguished from East Asian Leucoma candida by larger size, less densely scaled wings, and different male structure. Black-spotted forms occur but are variable.
Images
Habitat
Damp locations including forest edges, hedgerows, riverine woodlands, and urban environments such as parks, gardens, and alleys with trees. In North America, found in hybrid poplar windbreak stands and ornamental street plantings.
Distribution
across Palearctic from Portugal and France west to Japan east, including most of Europe (excluding far north), Russia, Mongolia, Korea, China, and Japan. In Britain: south-eastern, central and north-western England, scattered Wales and Scotland, Isle of Man, and Ireland. to North America in 1920s; established in eastern Canada, north-eastern United States, and west coast from British Columbia to Oregon, California, and Idaho.
Seasonality
active June through August in most of range. in Britain, Canada, and most of range; some Hungarian . Males begin flying shortly before dusk.
Diet
feed on leaves of Salix (willow/sallow) and Populus (poplar/aspen) , including eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), trembling aspen, and black cottonwood. Less commonly recorded on Quercus (oak).
Host Associations
- Salix sp. - larval primary
- Populus sp. - larval primary , including P. deltoides
- Leucoma salicis nucleopolyhedrovirus (LesaNPV) - / with potential as agent
Life Cycle
laid in clusters of 150–200 on tree trunks and branches, covered with paper-like substance. hatch in autumn, feed briefly, then overwinter. Feeding resumes in spring. occurs in loose spun between leaves. Some .
Behavior
rest with held tent-like over body, displaying contrasting leg pattern. Males initiate shortly before dusk. are gregarious defoliators capable of stripping trees. Attacks healthy trees as primary pest rather than colonizing stressed hosts.
Ecological Role
Significant defoliator of Salicaceae in and ranges. In North America, causes serious damage to hybrid poplar plantations, trembling aspen, and black cottonwood. Subject to by and , var. kurstaki, and -based .
Human Relevance
pest in North America since 1920s introduction, causing to poplar plantations and ornamental trees. Managed through including agents. sequenced (733.2 Mb assembly) as part of initiatives. Female identified as (3Z)-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxy-3-henicosene ('leucomalure').
Similar Taxa
- Leucoma candidaEast Asian with purer , more thickly scaled opaque ; smaller size with narrower wings; different male structure
- Other white Erebidae (e.g., Spilosoma, Hyphantria)Lack black-and- banded legs and black /collar; different posture and sheen