Swift moths

Abstract

Several species of swift moth are found in Britain. The caterpillars of two of them — the ghost swift moth (Hepialus humuli (L.)) and the garden swift moth (Hepialus lupulinus (L.)) — damage a range of crops by feeding on the roots. Both these species are generally distributed throughout Britain. The caterpillars live in the soil and attack farm and market-garden crops (Fig. 26.1), nursery stock and grass, sometimes causing serious losses. They may also be found beside or tunnelling into the roots of docks, dandelions and other weeds.