The paper presents the results about the life cycle peculiarities of the Orgyia antiqua L. (Lymantriidae, Lepidoptera) species, from 2005-2007 in the Mehedinti County. In Romanian specialised literature investigations concerning this defoliator caterpillar are scarce and incomplete. The investigations were carried out in field conditions using the entomological insulators for obtaining the data for the biological card and then for the synthesis table, which will be associated with climatic data for the presentation of this pest life cycle. It results that during three years the pest had one generation per year and hibernated as egg. The larvae appears generally in the first or second decade of May at a main sum of effective temperatures Σ = (t n -t 0 ) = 1507,10ºC. For the investigated zone the researches are absolutely new and also it completes the data about the defoliator caterpillars from our country. Because there are scarce data in Romania the researches can be extended, the pest being one of the most damaging defoliators. The paper contributes with its new data to the completion of the knowledge concerning the sloe-tree caterpillar (Orgyia antiqua L.).

floe-tree; caterpillar; Orgyia antiqua L.; apple; orchards; defoliator; life cycle

Presentation: oral