PEST
 
   NAME
     White Cedar Moth
     Leptocneria reducta
 
   ORDER
     Lepidoptera
 
   FAMILY
     Lymantriidae

Description of the Pest
Adults are pale brown moths with 40-60mm wingspans. Larvae are slender 45mm long caterpillars, with yellow heads and dark brown bodies covered in long grey and black hair. The caterpillars are gregarious and typically travel in processions.

Appearance and Distribution of the Pest
Common throughout eastern Australia and tropical to temperate regions wherever White Cedar (Melia azedarach) is cultivated.

Life Cycle
This insect has a Holometabolous life cycle, ie. When metamorphosis is observed during the pupal stage.
Eggs are deposited in clusters on the bark; caterpillars pupate in loose cocoons made of body hair and silk, in debris at the base of the tree.

Period of Activity
They are most active during the night; during the day they move to the lower parts of the tree and hide in bark crevices. Two generations appear in year, in Spring and Autumn.

Damage Caused
Large congregations of caterpillars can defoliate a tree; they migrate en masse to the next host tree. 

Susceptible Plants
White cedars (Melia azedarach).

Cultural Control
The caterpillars will shelter in hessian banding of the lower trunk during the day, which can then be removed and the larvae destroyed.

Biological Control
Parasites and predators contribute to the control of numbers.

Chemical Control
Spray with contact insecticide, together with a wetting agent to penetrate the caterpillars’ hair.
Note
Always read the label for registration details and direction of use prior to application of any chemicals.