Yponomeuta padella
Yponomeuta padella is a lepidopteran from the family Yponomeutidae, the ermine moths. It is also known as the cherry ermine
The wingspan ranges from. The head is white. Forewings are light grey, sometimes more or less suffused with white, especially towards dorsum; four longitudinal series of few black dots, first not reaching middle, second beginning beyond extremity of first, lowest including 4-6 dots; some additional black dots before termen; cilia light grey. Hindwings are rather dark grey. The larva is greenish-grey; spots black; head black.
Biology
The flight time ranges from July to August. The moth is attracted to light.Host plant
The larvae feed on Prunus spinosa, other Prunus spp., Crataegus.Distribution
Yponomeuta padella is widespread in Europe and can be found in all biotopes where the food plants are found. In the former Soviet Union, it is widespread in the European part in the north up to the Saint Petersburg area. In the east it is distributed in Transcaucasia, southern Kazakhstan, and central Asia. The species was introduced into North America.In Northern Ireland, Y. padella first appeared when defoliation was observed in hedges of common hawthorn and blackthorn in 1972. Up to this point, there was no record of Y. padella, although Y. malinellus occurred locally. In parts of the Republic of Ireland, the distribution of Y. padella reached epidemic proportions within 30 years. In a period of 10 years, the species colonized an area of more than and is still spreading. Within this area, populations appeared random, most hedges were uninfested, while in infested areas populations persisted for many years.
Y.padella is introduced to North America, first found in British Columbia and then Washington.