Lymantria monacha series

[Deleted]

One of the most beautiful of all British moths the black arches Lymantria monacha comes readily to light in july and august, nice dark specimen bottom right

[nomad]

Good series, a hugely variable moth. I have seen some melanic specimens recently, which I believe, is much more frequent in mainland Europe.

[Paul K]

In Poland in late '70 there was huge invasion of that moth.
I was then only close to 10 but I remember the pine tree trunks where all covered with white moths.
Government had to spray thousands of acres of forest as the plague was out of control.
The year after there was no leaving insect there.
In 1982 when I started collecting butterflies that moth was gone. I finally found them in some pine forest in southwest Poland but only few.
There are still outbreaks of this species from time to time.

My specimens collected in Poland,Boszkowo near Leszno City in 1987-88.
Also melanic form which was rather common.



Paul

[nomad]

That is interesting, first I have heard that Lymantria monacha was considered a pest species. It has never been here. The melanic form is eremita Ochs.

[Paul K]

Yes, it is beautiful moth but also serious pest.
Here is interesting paper
www.fao.org/forestry/13571-0a6f529afd04cc3d5bcd60e24bafab2fa.pdf

[nomad]

Thanks for the link, you learn something new everyday. 

[nomad]

A few more very old specimens of L .monacha. The bottom is of particular interest because it almost lacks any markings.