List of Lepidoptera that feed on Malus facts for kids

Apples (Malus species) are popular fruits, and their trees are also important food sources for many insects. Specifically, the young forms, called caterpillars, of various Lepidoptera (which are butterflies and moths) love to munch on apple trees. These caterpillars eat different parts of the apple tree, like the leaves, bark, or even the blossoms.

Moths and Butterflies That Eat Apple Trees

Many different kinds of moths and butterflies use apple trees as a place for their caterpillars to grow. These insects are part of a group called Lepidoptera. Each type of caterpillar has its own favorite part of the apple tree to eat.

Tiny Leaf Miners: Bucculatricidae

Some of the smallest moths, from the family Bucculatricidae, are known as "leaf miners." This means their caterpillars live inside the leaves of the apple tree, eating tunnels through them.

• Bucculatrix bechsteinella
• Bucculatrix pomifoliella

Case-Bearers: Coleophoridae

The caterpillars of the Coleophoridae family are called "case-bearers." They build tiny protective cases around themselves from silk and plant bits. They carry these cases with them as they feed on apple leaves.

• Several Coleophora case-bearers, including:
  • C. anatipennella
  • C. cerasivorella
  • C. coracipennella
  • C. hemerobiella
  • C. malivorella
  • C. paripennella
  • C. pruniella
  • C. sacramenta
  • C. serratella
  • C. spinella (also known as the apple-and-plum case-bearer)

Looping Caterpillars: Geometridae

Geometer moths are often called "inchworms" or "loopers" because of how their caterpillars move. Many of these moths also feed on apple trees.

• Agriopis marginaria (dotted border moth)
• Campaea margaritata (light emerald moth)
• Chloroclystis rectangulata (green pug moth)
• Colotois pennaria (feathered thorn moth)
• Ectropis crepuscularia (engrailed moth)
• Epirrita autumnata (autumnal moth)
• Epirrita dilutata (November moth)
• Erannis defoliaria (mottled umber moth)
• Eupithecia exiguata (mottled pug moth)
• Eupithecia pusillata (juniper pug moth) – found in the Americas
• Eupithecia subfuscata (grey pug moth)
• Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (double-striped pug moth)
• Hemithea aestivaria (common emerald moth)
• Odontopera bidentata (scalloped hazel moth)
• Operophtera brumata (winter moth)
• Opisthograptis luteolata (brimstone moth)
• Peribatodes rhomboidaria (willow beauty moth)
• Selenia tetralunaria (purple thorn moth)

Ghost Moths: Hepialidae

The Hepialidae family includes moths often called "ghost moths" or "swift moths." Their caterpillars usually live underground or inside plant stems.

• Phymatopus behrensii

Hairy Caterpillars: Lymantriidae

Moths in the Lymantriidae family often have very hairy caterpillars. These hairs can sometimes cause skin irritation, so it's best not to touch them.

• Euproctis chrysorrhoea (brown-tail moth)
• Euproctis similis (yellow-tail moth)
• Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth)

Owlet Moths: Noctuidae

The Noctuidae family is one of the largest moth families, often called "owlet moths." Many of their caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants, including apple trees.

• Acronicta psi (grey dagger moth)
• Acronicta tridens (dark dagger moth)
• Agrotis segetum (turnip moth)
• Amphipyra pyramidea (copper underwing moth)
• Cosmia trapezina (dun-bar moth)
• Eupsilia transversa (satellite moth)
• Mamestra brassicae (cabbage moth)
• Naenia typica (gothic moth)
• Orthosia cerasi (common Quaker moth)
• Orthosia gothica (Hebrew character moth)
• Phlogophora meticulosa (angle shades moth)
• Xestia c-nigrum (setaceous Hebrew character moth)

Snout Moths: Nolidae

Nolidae moths are a smaller family, sometimes called "snout moths" because of their unique mouthparts.

• Nola cucullatella (short-cloaked moth)

Prominent Moths: Notodontidae

The Notodontidae family includes moths with caterpillars that often have unusual shapes or bumps, making them look "prominent."

• Ptilodon capucina (coxcomb prominent moth)

Beautiful Butterflies: Nymphalidae

While most insects on this list are moths, some butterflies also use apple trees. The Nymphalidae family includes many well-known and colorful butterflies.

• Limenitis arthemis (American white admiral or red-spotted purple butterfly)

Large Silk Moths: Saturniidae

Saturniidae moths are known for being large and often very beautiful, with some producing silk.

• Pavonia pavonia (emperor moth)

Hawk-Moths: Sphingidae

Sphingidae moths, also called "hawk-moths" or "sphinx moths," are strong, fast flyers. Their caterpillars are usually large and have a "horn" at their rear end.

• Laothoe populi (poplar hawk-moth)
• Smerinthus jamaicensis (twin-spotted sphinx) – recorded on the European wild apple

Leaf-Rollers: Tortricidae

Tortricidae moths are often called "leaf-rollers" because their caterpillars typically roll up leaves and live inside them for protection while they feed.

• Enarmonia formosana (cherrybark tortrix) – this one feeds on apple bark
• Epiphyas postvittana (light brown apple moth)

Ermine Moths: Yponomeutidae

Yponomeutidae moths are sometimes called "ermine moths" because some species have white wings with black spots, looking a bit like ermine fur.

• Yponomeuta malinellus (apple ermine moth)
• Argyresthia curvella (apple blossom tineid) – only found on apple blossoms or rotting apple wood
• Scythropia crataegella (hawthorn moth) – recorded on European wild apple