List of Lepidoptera that feed on ash trees

Ashes (Fraxinus spp.) are used as food plants by the larvae (caterpillars) of a number of Lepidoptera species, including the following. (Unless otherwise stated, records are from the Nearctic region.)

Fraxinus americana

Adelidae

• Adela croesella – UK record

Apatelodidae

• Apatelodes torrefacta
• Olceclostera angelica
• Olceclostera seraphica – recorded on Fraxinus greggii and Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Arctiidae

Scarlet Tiger Moth imago (adult)

• Scarlet Tiger Moth (Callimorpha dominula) – Finland record
• Banded (or Pale) Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris) – recorded on Fraxinus americana and Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Confused Haploa Moth (Haploa confusa) – recorded on Fraxinus nigra
• Fall Webworm (Hyphantria cunea) – recorded on F. americana, Fraxinus excelsior, F. nigra, F. pennsylvanica and Fraxinus velutina
• Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) – recorded on F. americana
• Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata) – recorded on F. nigra, F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa)
• Dark-spotted Tiger Moth (Spilosoma canescens) – Australian record
• Pink-legged Tiger Moth (Spilosoma latipennis)
• Virginian Tiger Moth or Yellow Bear (Spilosoma virginica) – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica

Brahmaeidae

• Brahmaea wallichii – recorded on Fraxinus micrantha in India

Coleophoridae

• Coleophora badiipennella – Palaearctic record

Cossidae

• Goat Moth (Cossus cossus) – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in the Old World
• Prionoxystus macmurtrei
• Prionoxystus robiniae – recorded on Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina) – Palaearctic and Nearctic records

Crambidae

• Splendid Palpita Moth (Palpita magniferalis) – recorded on Fraxinus nigra

Geometridae

Feathered Thorn imago

• Abraxas grossulariata – recorded on Fraxinus lanuginosa in Japan
• Fall Cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria) – recorded on Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus nigra and Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Anacamptodes ephyraria – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Anavitrinella pampinaria
• Lilac Beauty (Apeira syringaria) – UK record
• Carsia sororiata
• Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata) – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in Finland
• Cingilia catenaria
• Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) – recorded on F. lanuginosa in Japan

Engrailed caterpillar

• Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia) – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Large Thorn (Ennomos autumnaria) – Japanese record
• Dusky Thorn (Ennomos fuscantaria) – recorded on F. excelsior in Europe
• Ennomos magnaria – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Ennomos subsignaria – recorded on F. nigra and F. americana
• November Moth (Epirrita dilutata)
• Erannis tiliaria – recorded on F. americana
• Euchlaena effecta – recorded on F. americana
• Euchlaena johnsonaria – recorded on F. americana
• Euchlaena marginaria – recorded on F. americana
• Ash Pug (Eupithecia innotata f. fraxinata) – recorded in the UK
• Eutrapela clemataria – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Hypagyrtis unipunctata – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Lambdina fervidaria

Brindled Beauty imago

• Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) – recorded on Fraxinus mandschurica in Japan
• Lycia ursaria – recorded on F. americana
• Melanolophia canadaria – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Metanema determinata – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Nematocampa filamentaria – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Nemoria mimosaria – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata) – recorded on F. excelsior in Europe

Winter Moth male imago

• Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) – recorded on F. americana, F. excelsior (in Europe) and F. pennsylvanica
• Spring Cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata) – recorded on F. nigra, F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Twin-spot Carpet (Perizoma didymata) – recorded on F. excelsior in Finland
• Philtraea latifoliae – recorded on Fraxinus latifolia
• Plagodis fervidaria
• Plagodis kuetzingi
• Probole alienaria
• Psyra bluethgeni – recorded on Fraxinus sieboldiana in Japan
• Lunar Thorn (Selenia lunularia) – recorded n F. excelsior in Europe
• Purple Thorn (Selenia tetralunaria) – recorded on F. excelsior in Finland
• Sicya macularia – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Tetracis cachexiata
• Barred Tooth-striped (Trichopteryx polycommata) – recorded in the UK
• Tissue (Triphosa dubitata) – recorded on F. excelsior in Finland
• Wilemania nitobei – recorded on Fraxinus longicuspis in Japan

Gracillariidae

• Caloptilia albicapitata – recorded on Fraxinus chinensis and Fraxinus mandschurica in Japan
• Caloptilia arsenievi – recorded on Fraxinus americana (in Japan), F. chinensis (in Japan), F. mandschurica (in Japan and the former USSR) and Fraxinus pennsylvanica (in Japan)
• Caloptilia cuculipennella – Holarctic
• Ash Leaf Cone Roller (Caloptilia fraxinella) – recorded on F. americana and Fraxinus nigra
• Caloptilia syringella – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior (Holarctic) and F. nigra
• Caloptilia ussuriella – recorded in the former USSR and on F. americana, F. chinensis, F. mandschurica and F. pennsylvanica (all in Japan)
• Marmara basidendroca – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Marmara corticola – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Marmara fraxinicola – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica

Lasiocampidae

Forest tent caterpillars in Fossil Butte National Monument

• Malacosoma americana – recorded on Fraxinus americana
• Malacosoma californica
• Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) – recorded on F. americana, Fraxinus nigra and Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Phyllodesma americana – recorded on F. americana
• Phyllodesma carpinifolia
• December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) – recorded on F. excelsior in Finland
• Tolype velleda – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica

Limacodidae

• Hag moth (Phobetron pithecium)

Lycaenidae

• Coreana raphaelis – recorded on Fraxinus chinensis (in Japan and Russia), Fraxinus lanuginosa and Fraxinus mandschurica (both in Japan)
• Laeosopis roboris – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in Spain
• Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
• Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum) – recorded on Fraxinus americana and Fraxinus nigra
• Satyrium liparops
• Ussuriana michaelis – recorded on F. chinensis (in Russia) and F. lanuginosa (in China); also recorded in Korea and Japan
• Ussuriana stygiana – recorded on F. chinensis, F. lanuginosa, Fraxinus longicuspis, F. mandschurica, Fraxinus platypoda and Fraxinus sieboldiana (all) in Japan
• Ussuriana takarana – recorded on Fraxinus insularis in Taiwan

Lymantriidae

Orygia antiqua caterpillar

• Brown-tail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) – recorded on Fraxinus americana
• Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) – recorded on F. americana, Fraxinus nigra, Fraxinus profunda and Fraxinus quadrangulata; also recorded in the Palaearctic
• Black Arches (Lymantria monacha) – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in the Palaearctic
• Rusty Tussock Moth or Vapourer (Orgyia antiqua)
• White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma) – recorded on F. americana and F. excelsior

Megalopygidae

• Southern Flannel Moth, Pussy Moth, Puss Caterpillar or Asp (Megalopyge opercularis) – recorded on Fraxinus berlandieriana

Nepticulidae

• Stigmella apicialbella

Noctuidae

• Abagrotis alcandola
• Abagrotis alternata
• Achatia distincta – recorded on Fraxinus americana
• American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana) – recorded on Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Acronicta impleta
• Acronicta radcliffei
• Knot Grass (Acronicta rumicis) – Finnish record
• Fringe-tree Sallow Moth (Adita chionanthi) – recorded on F. americana, Fraxinus nigra and F. pennsylvanica
• Brick (Agrochola circellaris) – UK record
• Amphipyra glabella

Copper Underwing imago

Copper Underwing caterpillar

• Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea)
• Centre-barred Sallow (Atethmia centrago) – recorded in the UK
• Blue Underwing or Clifden Nonpariel (Catocala fraxini) – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in Finland
• Catocala habilis – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Red Underwing (Catocala nupta) – Indian record
• Catocala piatrix
• Catocala ultronia – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Copivaleria grotei – recorded on F. americana
• Coronet (Craniophora ligustri) – recorded on F. excelsior in Finland; also recorded in the UK
• Crocigrapha normani – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Small Angle Shades (Euplexia lucipara) – Old World record
• Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) – recorded on F. excelsior in Finland
• Harrisimemna trisignata
• Homoncocnemis fortis – recorded on Fraxinus latifolia
• Lithophane antennata
• Lithophane bethunei – recorded on F. americana
• Lithophane georgii
• Lithophane laticinerea – recorded on F. americana
• Lithophane petulca – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Tawny Pinion (Lithophane semibrunnea) – recorded on F. excelsior in the UK
• Lithophane socia – German record
• Melanchra assimilis – recorded on F. americana
• Oncocnemis punctilinea
• Orthosia garmani
• Orthosia hibisci – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica
• Orthosia revicta – recorded on F. americana
• Palthis angulalis – recorded on F. americana
• Ash Tip Borer (Papaipema furcata) – recorded on F. americana, F. nigra and F. pennsylvanica
• Papaipema nebris
• Paracentropus cyrus – Iranian record
• Psaphida styracis
• Flame Brocade (Trigonophora flammea) – UK record

Nolidae

• Baileya dormitans

Notodontidae

• Datana contracta
• Datana integerrima
• Datana ministra – recorded on Fraxinus quadrangulata
• Heterocampa guttivitta – recorded on Fraxinus americana and Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Hyperaeschra georgica
• Rough Prominent (Nadata gibbosa) – recorded on F. americana
• Red-humped Caterpillar Moth (Schizura concinna) – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Schizura ipomoeae – recorded on F. americana

Nymphalidae

Nymphalis antiopa caterpillar

• Blackvein Sergeant (Athyma ranga) – recorded on Fraxinus retusa in Hong Kong
• Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton) – recorded on Fraxinus americana
• Scarce Fritillary (Hypodryas maturna) – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in Finland and the former Yugoslavia
• Mourning Cloak or Camberwell Beauty (Nymphalis antiopa) – recorded on F. americana

Oecophoridae

• Antaeotricha leucillana – recorded on Fraxinus americana
• Gold-striped Leaftier Moth (Machimia tentoriferella) – recorded on F. americana and Fraxinus nigra

Papilionidae

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar

• Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) – recorded on Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus caroliniana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Fraxinus nigra
• Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) – recorded on Fraxinus anomala, Fraxinus latifolia, Fraxinus oregana, F. pennsylvanica and Fraxinus viridis
• Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)

Psychidae

• Oiketicus kirbyi – recorded on Fraxinus uhdei in Costa Rica
• Snailcase Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) – recorded on Fraxinus americana

Pyralidae

• Acrobasis caryivorella – recorded on Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Euzophera nelliella – North African record
• Euzophera pinguis – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in the UK
• Neargyractis slossonalis
• Palpita magniferalis – recorded on Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus nigra and F. pennsylvanica
• Palpita nigropunctalis – recorded on Fraxinus mandschurica in Japan
• Phycita meliella – Palaearctic record

Saturniidae

Regal Moth caterpillar

• Adetomeris erythrops – Neotropical record
• Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)
• Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) – recorded on Fraxinus pennsylvanica in Hong Kong
• Attacus lorquinii – Indo-Australian records
• Io Moth (Automeris io) – recorded on Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pubescens and Fraxinus sambucifolia
• Promethea Silkmoth (Callosamia promethea)
• Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis) – recorded on F. americana
• Epiphora antinorii – recorded on Fraxinus berlandieriana in Kenya
• Eupackardia calleta – recorded on Fraxinus velutina
• Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) – recorded on F. americana and F. pennsylvanica

Emperor Moth caterpillar

• Emperor Moth (Pavonia pavonia) – Palaearctic record
• Rothschildia aurota – Neotropical record
• Rothschildia cinctus
• Rothschildia jorulla
• Rothschildia lebeau – recorded on Fraxinus berlandieriana
• Rothschildia orizaba – recorded on F. americana
• Samia cynthia
• Samia walkeri
• Saturnia atlantica – recorded on Fraxinus berlandieriana in the Palaearctic
• Saturnia huttoni – Palaearctic record
• Great Peacock Moth (Saturnia pyri) – recorded Fraxinus excelsior in the Palaearctic

Sesiidae

• Paranthrene asilipennis
• Podosesia aureocincta
• Ash Borer (Podosesia syringae) – recorded on Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus caroliniana, Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus nigra and Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Sesia apiformis

Sphingidae

Elm Sphinx imago

Privet Hawkmoth caterpillar

• Elm Sphinx (Ceratomia amyntor)
• Ceratomia sonorensis
• Waved Sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa) – recorded on Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus nigra, Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Fraxinus platycarpa
• Manduca brontes – recorded on F. americana, F. excelsior and F. platycarpa
• Ash Sphinx (Manduca jasminearum)
• Rustic Sphinx (Manduca rustica)
• Paonias excaecata
• Twin-spotted Sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis) – recorded on F. americana
• Canadian Sphinx (Sphinx canadensis) – recorded on F. americana and F. nigra
• Great Ash Sphinx (Sphinx chersis) – recorded on F. americana, F. pennsylvanica and Fraxinus velutina; also recorded in Mexico
• Franck's Sphinx (Sphinx franckii) – recorded on F. americana
• Sphinx gordius
• Laurel Sphinx (Sphinx kalmiae) – recorded on F. americana, F. nigra and Fraxinus sambucifolia
• Incense Cedar Sphinx (Sphinx libocedrus) – recorded on Fraxinus greggii
• Privet Hawkmoth (Sphinx ligustri) – recorded of F. excelsior in Finland; also recorded in the UK
• Elegant Sphinx (Sphinx perelegans) – recorded on F. excelsior

Tineidae

• Crypsithyris longicornis – recorded on Fraxinus americana in India
• Tinea cherota – recorded on Fraxinus floribunda in India

Tortricidae

Fraxinus excelsior

• Amorbia humerosana
• Aphelia alleniana
• Archips argyrospila
• Archips breviplicanus – recorded on Fraxinus lanuginosa in Japan
• Archips cerasivorana – recorded on Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Archips crataegana – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in the UK
• Archips purpurana
• Archips rosana – recorded on F. excelsior in the UK
• Archips xylosteana – recorded on F. excelsior in Europe
• Choristoneura rosaceana – recorded on Fraxinus americana
• Clepsis persicana
• Cydia ingrata – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Doloploca praeviella – recorded on Fraxinus mandschurica in Japan
• Eulia ministrana – recorded on F. excelsior in Europe
• Hedya dimidioalba – "Holarctic" record
• Orthotaenia undulana – recorded on F. pennsylvanica
• Pammene suspectana – recorded on F. excelsior in Europe; also UK records
• Pandemis canadana – recorded on F. americana
• Pandemis cerasana – Indian record
• Pandemis corylana – recorded on F. excelsior in Europe; also Japanese record
• Pandemis lamprosana – recorded on F. americana and Fraxinus texensis
• Tufted Apple Bud Moth (Platynota idaeusalis) – recorded on Fraxinus nigra
• Pseudargyrotoza conwagana – recorded on F. excelsior in Europe; also UK record
• Poplar Leafroller (Pseudosciaphila duplex) – recorded on F. nigra and F. pennsylvanica
• Rhopalovalva pulchra – recorded on F. mandshurica in Japan
• Rhopobota naevana – recorded on F. mandshurica in Japan
• Sparganothis diluticostana – recorded on F. americana
• Sparganothis reticulatana – recorded on F. americana
• Sparganothis unifasciana

Yponomeutidae

• Prays curtisella – recorded on Fraxinus excelsior in the UK
• Ash Bud Moth (Prays fraxinella) – recorded on F. excelsior in the UK
• Prays ruficeps – recorded from the former Czechoslovakia
• Zelleria hepariella – recorded on F. excelsior in the UK

External links

• Caterpillar Hostplants Database
• UKMoths web-site