About Gastropacha quercifolia (Linnaeus, 1758)
Gastropacha quercifolia, commonly known as the lappet, is a moth species belonging to the family Lasiocampidae. This species ranges from Europe, eastward across the Palearctic region to Japan. Its wingspan measures 50–90 mm. Meyrick’s description of the moth is as follows: For the forewings, vein 9 reaches the termen; the wings are red-brown with a purple-bluish gloss, mixed with blackish colour towards the costa, and ferruginous along the dorsal area. The first, second, and praesubterminal lines are blackish-grey, waved, and bent near the costa; there is a blackish-grey discal mark, and the termen is waved-dentate. Hindwings match the colouration of forewings, but their lines are indistinct and straight. The costal area of the hindwings is ferruginous, and bears approximately six blackish pseudoneuria; vein 8 is connected to the cell by a long bar. The larva is dark grey or brown, with whitish dorsal marks on its third and fourth segments. Its second and third incisions are deep indigo-blue, and there is a prominence on segments 1 and 2. It has a subspiracular series of tubercles and a fringe of pale hairs. The larvae feed on Crataegus, Prunus spinosa, willow, and oak.
