Home / Prominent Moths (Notodontidae) / Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea)

Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea)

Oak processionary of the Notodontidae family is indigenous to southern and central parts of Europe. Their name is a result of the combination of two factors. Firstly, their caterpillars inhabit oak forests feeding on the oak leaves there. Secondly, the larvae stay close to each other, moving in a nose-to-tail procession, hence the name oak processionary.

Oak Processionary

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Scientific Classification


  • Family: Prominent Moth
  • Genus: Thaumetopoea
  • Scientific Name: Thaumetopoea processionea

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

The larvae are 2 to 3 cm long, having a dark brown body upon emergence, gradually turning gray with maturity. By the time these moths reach their third instar, they develop small urticating hairs throughout their body.

They mostly move in a procession towards the oak trees, feeding on the leaves, skeletonizing and damaging them completely.

The larvae make silken nests resembling a teardrop, blanket, or bag on the tree’s branches and trunks, leaving silk trails behind. Initially, the trails and nest appear white and prominently visible, later losing coloration and seen rarely.

Oak Processionary Moth Damage

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Oak Processionary Caterpillar

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Pupa

The pupal phase lasts for about 40 days taking place within the cocoon spun inside the nests by the adult oak processionary moth.

Oak Processionary Pupa

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Adult Moth

Sexual Dimorphism: Not prominent

Color and Appearance

Forewings: When opened, the forewings have a brownish-white appearance with markings of light brown. There is no change in the color and pattern when the wings are closed.

Hindwings: When opened, they are grayish-white with dark patches.  When closed, the color and pattern remain the same.

The coloration of the hindwings differs in the moths from one region to another, being cream for those in the Middle East, and ash-gray for Western Europe inhabitants.

Average Wingspan: 3 cm

Flight Pattern: Not recorded

Season: End July – Mid September

Thaumetopoea processionea

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Oak Processionary Moth

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Eggs

The females lay about 300 eggs in a single batch in old twigs that remains protected within a hairy enclosure.

Oak Processionary Moth Eggs

monaconatureencyclopedia.com

Quick Facts

Other NamesOak moth
DistributionCentral Europe, Southern Europe, and parts of Northern Europe reaching up to Sweden
HabitatMostly in oak forests
PredatorsBeetles, spiders, moths
Lifespan of Adults3 – 4 days
Host PlantsOak (primary host plant), sweet chestnut, birch, hornbeam, beech, hazel
Adult DietDo not feed because of their short lifespan

Did You Know

  • At present, they occur as invasive species in many other parts of the world like Great Britain, where the eggs were found in an oak shipment reaching London’s Ealing and Richmond areas in 2006.
  • Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus described them first in 1758 in his book the 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
  • The larva’s hairs cause skin irritation and even asthma to humans if the latter comes in contact with them.
Oak Moth

images.theconversation.com

Oak Processionary Moth Nest

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Oak Processionary Moth Image

butterfly-conservation.org

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