PEST
 
   NAME
     Gumleaf Skeletoniser
     Uraba lugens
 
   ORDER
     Lepidoptera
 
   FAMILY
     Noctuidae

Description of the Pest
The adult moth can have a wingspan of up to 250mm and are silvery grey with darking makings on the forewing tips. It can lay its eggs in groups, of up to 200. The larva is yellowish brown and can grow up to 25mm when fully fed. It has a prominent horn like projection on its head, which is actually a stack of outgrown, cast off head capsules. The larva is covered in white hairs that can cause localised skin irritations.

Appearance and Distribution of the Pest
The adult lays its eggs during Spring and the larvae are active throughout the warmer months. This pest is widely distributed throughout the temperate and subtropical regions and its favoured conditioned have not yet been documented.

Life Cycle
This insect has a Holometabolous life cycle, ie. When metamorphosis is observed during the pupal stage.
The adult lays eggs of the surface of the leaves where the larvae feed. After which it may, drop to the ground on silken threads, or remain on the bark of the host tree to pupate.  

Period of Activity
The feeding larvae are active during the warmer months of the year.

Damage Caused
The gregarious larvae skeletonise the leaf by eating the leaf blade, leaving the veins; mature larvae can chew large sections of the leaf away. The skeletonised leaves turn brown and give the host plant a burnt appearance during heavy infestations of the pest.

Susceptible Plants
Many species of Eucalypts are attacked, particularly Snow Gum (E. paucifolia), Red River Gum (E. camaldulensis), Blackbutt (E. pilularis) and Sydney Blue Gum (E. saligna).

Cultural Control
Physical removal of foliage on young plants. where the eggs are clearly visible.

Biological Control
There is no effective biological method of controlling this pest.

Chemical Control
Tree may be sprayed with a contact pesticides in conjunction with a wetting agent (to penetrate the hairs on the caterpillar’s body) are often successful.
Note
Always read the label for registration details and direction of use prior to application of any chemicals.