Large faggot worm
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| Eumeta crameri (Westwood) |
The large faggot worm (Eumeta crameri) is a moth that spins its cocoon all its larval life, decorating it with small twigs, bark and thorns from the trees on which it feeds. After hatching, they climb to the top of their host tree and begin feeding on the tender shoots.
The large faggot worm renovates its case three times during the 2 to 3 month larval stage, doing it progressively faster each time. Case renovation consists of replacing the twigs and thorns that make up the case with longer materials, with one piece noticeably longer than the others. The larva approach 3cm in length when entering the pupa stage. Adult male moths are reddish brown with wings.
The large faggot worm has worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical habitats, found in India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico.
Females lay about 500 eggs that incubate for 10 to 15 days.
As the larval worms grow, they prefer older leaves and bark of a variety of hosts, including acacia, wattle, tea, mimosa, australian pine, eucalyptus, gmelina, lychee, thuja, rangoon creeper, strawberry guava and many other species.
Some host species of commercial significance, such as acacia and wattle, are particularly susceptible to the large faggot worm. As a result, this species is frequently dealt with as a pest. Some plantations are treated with aerial insecticides to protect the host plants. Plantation environments are more susceptible to the worms than natural habitats.
