Oak Looper – Lambdina punctate

Oak Looper – Lambdina punctata. Common Name: Oak Looper Latin Name: Lambdina punctata Appearance: The Oak Looper is a moth with a wingspan of approximately 1 inch. The wings are variable in color and can be brown, gray, or green, with distinctive wavy lines across them.

• Egg:The eggs of the Oak Looper are small, round, and yellow. They are typically laid on the leaves of oak trees.
• Pupae:The Oak Looper pupae are brown and found in leaf litter or the soil.
• Larva:The larvae of the Oak Looper are green or brown and have a distinct white stripe down their backs. They feed on the leaves of oak trees and can cause defoliation in severe infestations.
• Adults:The adult Oak Looper moths emerge in late summer or early fall. They are typically active at night and are attracted to lights.

Host plants: The Oak Looper feeds primarily on oak trees but can also infest other hardwood trees. Territory: The Oak Looper is found throughout the eastern United States and Canada. Damages caused by Oak Looper: The Oak Looper can cause significant damage to oak trees by feeding on the leaves. The trees may lose most of their leaves in severe infestations, leading to reduced growth and vigor. Life history and Habits: The Oak Looper overwinters as a pupa in leaf litter or the soil. In the spring, the adults emerge and mate, with the females laying eggs on the leaves of oak trees. The  larvae hatch from the eggs and feed on the leaves, going through several instars before pupating. There is one generation per year. The Oak Looper is also known to have cyclical population outbreaks, where the population levels increase significantly every 8-12 years.