Open AccessTHE LIFE HISTORY AND BEHAVIOUR OF CHLENIAS SP., A GEOMETRID DEFOLIATOR OF RADIATA PINE IN TASMANIA
Author(s) -
Madden J. L.,
Bashford R.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1977.tb00123.x
Subject(s) - biology , pinus radiata , radiata , lepidoptera genitalia , instar , pupa , larva , litter , botany , eucalyptus , ecology , vigna
Larvae of a species of Chlenias (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) which normally feed on Eucalyptus spp, extensively defoliated Pinus radiata regeneration at Pittwater, Tasmania from 1968–1971. Pupation occurred beneath the litter and adults emerged from mid April to mid July when dusk temperatures were consistently below 4.5°C. The location of mates by flying males involved the release of pheromone(s) by female moths whose wings were expanded during copulation. Eggs were deposited in clusters on the terminal and youngest shoots of host trees. Incubation was approximately 70–80 days. There were six larval instars and defoliation became severe during the fourth and subsequent instars. Pupation occurred in a silken sand cocoon from early November to December. There was one generation per year.