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Native to Europe and western Asia, this insect was first discovered in North America in the 1920s. Now it can be found from Newfoundland to Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and southern British Columbia. This defoliating insect attacks most species of poplar and willow with a preference for ornamental poplars. Due to increasing damage in natural poplar stands, this pest has become significantly more important over the last 30 years. Nevertheless, localized infestations appear to be diminishing in duration. All damage is caused by larval feeding and usually the whole leaf (excluding the major veins) is consumed. The damage is generally not uniform and can range from total tree defoliation to barely being noticeable. This usually kills a few branches but rarely will the tree die.

Points of interest

• one generation per year and overwinters in the larval stage
• its name is derived from the satiny appearance of the adult's wings
• white egg clusters are often visible on the trunks of the appropriate trees.
• average of mature larval or full-grown length is 40 mm

References

Martineau, R. 1984. Insects Harmful to Forest Trees. Multiscience Publications Ltd., Montreal, Environment Canada, Canadian Forestry Service, Ottawa, and Supply and Services Canada, Canadian Government Publishing Centre, Ottawa. For. Tech. Rep. 32. 261 p. + x.

Rose, A.H.; Lindquist, O.H. 1997. Insects of Eastern Hardwood Trees. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Ottawa. Revised edition. For. Tech. Rep. 29. 304 p.