Crataegus-feeder

Guides

• Yponomeuta padella

  orchard ermine, cherry ermine

  Yponomeuta padella is a small ermine moth native to Europe and parts of Asia, now introduced to North America. Adults are active from July to August and are attracted to light. The species is notable for forming part of a cryptic species complex with Y. malinellus, Y. cagnagella, Y. rorella, and Y. evonymella, requiring genital examination or host plant association for reliable identification. Larvae feed on Prunus and Crataegus species, and the moth has demonstrated invasive potential with documented outbreaks causing significant defoliation in introduced and expanded ranges.

  ermine-mothpestorchard-pestinvasive-speciescryptic-speciesdefoliatorPrunus-feederCrataegus-feederEurope-nativeintroduced-to-North-Americalight-attractedJuly–August-flight