List of Lepidoptera that feed on willows

Willows (Salix spp) are used as food plants by the larvae of a large number of Lepidoptera species including:

Monophagous

Species which feed exclusively on Salix

  • Batrachedridae
    • Batrachedra salicipomenella
  • Coleophoridae
    • Several Coleophora case-bearer species:
      • C. albidella
      • C. bedella - feeds on Salix excelsa
      • C. castipennella
      • C. kearfottella
      • C. zelleriella
  • Geometridae
    • Slender Pug (Eupithecia tenuiata)
  • Hepialidae
    • Sthenopis thule
  • Noctuidae
    • Minor Shoulder-knot (Brachylomia viminalis)

Polyphagous

Species which feed on Salix and other plants

  • Arctiidae
    • Giant Leopard Moth (Ecpantheria scribonia)
  • Batrachedridae
    • Batrachedra praeangusta
    • Batrachedra striolata - recorded on Arroyo Willow (Salix lasiolepsis)
  • Bedelliidae
    • Bedellia somnulentella
  • Coleophoridae
    • Several Coleophora case-bearer species:
      • C. anatipennella
      • C. atlantica
      • C. currucipennella
      • C. malivorella
      • C. palliatella
      • C. piperata
      • C. pruniella - recorded on Crack Willow (Salix fragilis)
      • C. salicivorella
      • C. viminetella
  • Geometridae
    • Autumnal Moth (Epirrita autumnata)
    • Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)
    • Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata)
    • Common Emerald (Hemithea aestivaria)
    • Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)
    • Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)
    • Common Wave (Cabera exanthemata)
    • Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)
    • Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria)
    • The Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia)
    • Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria)
    • Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata)
    • Juniper Pug (Eupithecia pusillata)
    • Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata)
    • Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata)
    • Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria)
    • Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)
  • Hepialidae
    • Sthenopis argenteomaculatus
    • Sthenopis purpurascens
  • Lymantriidae
    • Brown-tail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea)
    • Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)
    • Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis)
  • Noctuidae
    • Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa)
    • The Brick (Agrochola circellaris)
    • Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi)
    • Dark Dagger (Acronicta tridens)
    • Dot Moth (Melanchra persicariae)
    • Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum)
    • The Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina)
    • Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)
    • The Gothic (Naenia typica)
    • Grey Chi (Antitype chi)
    • Grey Dagger (Acronicta psi)
    • Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)
    • Ingrailed Clay (Diarsia mendica)
    • Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthina)
    • Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)
    • The Miller (Acronicta leporina)
    • Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis)
    • Poplar Grey (Acronicta megacephala)
    • The Satellite (Eupsilia transversa)
    • Small Angle Shades (Euplexia lucipara)
    • Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi)
    • Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa)
    • Svensson's Copper Underwing (Amphipyra berbera)
  • Notodontidae
    • Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala)
    • Coxcomb Prominent (Ptilodon capucina)
    • Poplar Kitten (Furcula bifida)
    • Rough Prominent (Nadata gibbosa)
  • Nymphalidae
    • American White Admiral/Red-spotted Purple, Limenitis arthemis - recorded on Beaked Willow (Salix bebbiana) and others
    • Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus)
  • Saturniidae
    • Emperor Moth (Pavonia pavonia)
    • Io moth (Automeris io)
  • Sphingidae
    • Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi)
    • Twin-spotted Sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis)