Thaumetopoea processionea (Linnaeus, 1758) Species
Last modified: June 1, 2024, 2:36 p.m.
A common species in Belgium. A species of fluctuating occurrence: sometimes absent, sometimes a pest in oak forests. It has mainly been observed in the Kempen region, but occurs also in many other regions.
This species is considered Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Notodontidae > Subfamily: Thaumetopoeinae > Genus: Thaumetopoea > Species: Thaumetopoea processionea
- Vernacular names
- Eikenprocessierups (NL), Oak Processionea (EN), La Processionnaire du Chêne (FR), Eichen-Prozessionsspinner (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1837. Catalogue des Lépidoptères ou Papillons de la Belgique, précédé du tableau des Libellulines de ce pays. — — : 1–29. On page 25 (as Bombyx Processionea). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 25–35 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
Watch out for the minute, severely urticating hairs on the dorsum of the older larvae, these are readily dispersed by the wind and can cause persistent and often severe health problems.
Bionomics
Hibernates as an egg.
The adults come to light.
Flight periods
The adults fly mainly in July and August, sometimes till late September, though some specimens have been observed as early as 28 May.
