Life history Eriogaster lanestris

1 life history

1.1 eggs
1.2 larval development

1.2.1 larval tents


1.3 pupation
1.4 adulthood , reproduction

life history
eggs

female moths lay masses of 325 eggs on twigs , small branches of host plant. eggs hatch within span of few days, save relatively small proportion of egg mass, yielding larval colony averaging 200 individuals.

larval development

larvae mature through 5 stages, called instars, on course of 6 7 weeks. during larval development (instars 1-3), larvae small , black in coloration, , during late development (instars 4-5), larvae develop urticarial hairs , red coloration. in fifth instar, larvae lose many of social behaviors , colonies disband individuals prepare pupation.

silk tent of e. lanestris.


larval tents

e. lanestris eggs hatch in april , may, , following emergence, caterpillars construct tents out of silk @ hatching site, or nearby on same bush. live in these tents colonies of approximately 200 of full siblings during development. continually repair , expand same structure throughout larval development. tent consists of layers of silk fibers form air pockets serve insulate nest , provide resting spaces caterpillars inside. tent structures severely damaged heavy rains, cause silk layers stick together, removing air pockets. dried silk becomes brittle , fragile, making susceptible breaking , tearing. additionally, small eggars’ tents bright white , not well-concealed, located , damaged predators birds. maintaining integrity of tent essential larval colonies’ survival, , not abandon tent until before pupation.

pupation

pupation occurs in july. caterpillars form hard, brown, rounded cocoons, found concealed in low, dense vegetation of hedgerows , bushes, in grass , brush. pupa overwinter in cocoons , typically hatch following spring, have been known remain in pupation several years when conditions less ideal.

adulthood , reproduction

adult moths emerge cocoons in march , april. adults live week, during mate. e. lanestris moths not feed adults, must rely on larval nutrition survival , reproduction during final life stage.