Class: Insects
Size: 16 to 24mm
Weight: Variable
Age: 5 to 10 days (moth)
Appearance: Green coloured
Food: Oaks, but also other deciduous trees, bilberry, nettle.
Distribution: Europe, Asia (in the distribution area of the oak)
Original location: Unknown
Habitat: Oak woods, deciduous woods, parks
Sleep-wake rhythm: Crepuscular and nocturnal
Natural enemies: Birds, four-spot carrion beetles, pupa predators, ichneumon wasps, caterpillar flies, red forest ant
Threatened with extinction: No

• In mass reproduction in oak forests, the caterpillars of the green oak moth can cause baldness. Therefore, thegreen oak moth is considered a dangerous pest in forestry.
• The moths fly from June to August. The female lays 50 to 60 eggs at a time. The eggs overwinter. The caterpillar hatches in May. They first live in flower buds and later in rolled or folded leaves. In June the caterpillar pupates in a leaf. The moths hatch after 3 to 4 weeks.
• In Europe, repeated large-scale reproduction in oak forests has led to the clearfeeding of large parts of the oaks. This usually occurs in lowland, loose forests or solitary trees. The infestation can vary greatly depending on the area.
• The weakened trees usually die first due to the influence of other negative environmental factors such as drought. In addition, regrowing leaves are often attacked by oak powdery mildew (Microsphaera alhitoides).
• However, healthy oaks can even survive an infestation for several years.