Currant Spanworm – Itame ribearia

Current Spanworm – Itameribearia Common Name: Currant Spanworm Latin Name: Itameribearia Appearance: Adults are Forewing light yellow with erratic brownish-gray patterns; a black patch near the centre of the subterminal region occasionally becomes a broader broad subterminal band; three or four equally spaced dark dashes typically present along costa; pale yellow fringe, a little lighter hindwing with fewer, fainter patterns; marginally yellow. Host plant: Currants, gooseberry Territory: Currant Spanworm is found in North America Damages caused by Currant Spanworm: The larvae chew the currant and gooseberry leaves, which frequently severely defoliate the plant in the early part of the season. The core of the bush’s foliage takes the brunt of the harm. However, any leaf might be consumed. This damage has the potential to influence fruit yield and quality.The larvae often have several black dots and are a pale green-gray color. (Recently, molted larvae are bright green. Life history and Habits: The adults, a dark brown wasp about a third of an inch long, often emerge in the early spring; however, damp, chilly weather might postpone it by several weeks. Following mating, the female deposits rows of eggs into the major veins on the underside of the leaf. The larvae hatch about seven to ten days after the eggs are deposited. At first, they eat tiny holes in the inside of the leaves. In three weeks, they reach full maturity after dispersing throughout the plant and feeding along the leaf edges. Young larvae are light green, but as they get bigger and go approximately 3/4 inch in size, they start to get recognizable black markings. The fully developed larvae fall to the ground, creating a cocoon. A modest second generation is produced when some pupate and emerge in late June and early July. Most of them normally persist and reappear the following year.