Defoliator of trees of the Quercus genus mainly. About 45-65 mm long, the female lays eggs on her bark before winter, protecting them with plastons of scales on her belly. In the following spring, after hatching, for 1.5 - 2 months, the larvae grow in 5-6 instars, feeding on the leaves before pupating and metamorphosing for 2 weeks, to oviposit before winter and close the life cycle. . As the female does not fly, dispersal to other trees frequently occurs by swaying in the wind of the larvae, which hang from a silken thread, when the host tree is severely defoliated. The damage consists of intense defoliation of the trees, weakening them, affecting their growth and producing the loss of the fruit.

Polyphagous species, which affects numerous ornamental and agricultural species. With a size of 35-60mm, the moth emerges in summer to oviposit, under a silk pouch, on the trunk or branches. The larvae will go to the tender areas, where they feed on the leaves and make galleries, to then penetrate thick wood. In winter they stop their activity to reactivate the following spring and complete their development until summer. They then pupate and metamorphose to complete the annual cycle, although it can also be biennial in cold areas. The galleries cause serious damage, which can trigger the breaking of branches.

(Paranthrene tabaniformis): Similar in appearance to a wasp and with a size of about 20-35mm, the butterfly emerges in spring to mate and lay a single egg on the bark, preferably from the lower areas. After emerging, the larvae penetrate the trunk and make ascending subcortical galleries, up to 20cm long, ceasing feeding in winter. In spring, they reactivate and pupate, to metamorphose and close the annual cycle. As a result, the affected areas, in addition to being an entry route for fungi and bacteria, thicken and excrete sap.

(Paysandisa archon): With a large wingspan (75-110mm), the butterfly oviposits in the crown, penetrating through galleries to the interior, where the larvae (L1-L9) feed for 1 to 2 years, depending on the hatching season from the egg, to pupate and metamorphose (1 month) to make new clutches and close the annual or biennial cycle. Easily expanded, the galleries interrupt the vascular flow, which in advanced stages of infestation will damage the terminal bud, causing the death of multiple hosts: Phoenix spp., Chamaerops humilis, Trachycarpus spp., Washingtonia spp., among others.

(Cameraria ohridella). Horse chestnut miner (Aesculus hippocastanum). Its flight capacity (up to 100m) and its 3 annual generations allow it to expand rapidly. After hibernating in the fallen leaves, the small butterfly (5-10mm) emerges in spring to oviposit and 2-3 weeks later, the larvae (L1-L6) mine the leaves, with greater voracity at a higher degree of maturity. One month later they pupate in the parenchymatic cavities of the leaves, from 2 to 3 weeks, although they can remain in diapause for up to 3 years. They cause severe defoliation of the plant, which reduces its vigor and makes it vulnerable to pests and diseases.

Thaumetopoea pityocampa): Defoliating lepidopteran, preferably of the genus Pinus, but also of Abies or Cedrus. In summer, the moth emerges to mate and oviposit in the crown. In autumn, the larvae (L1-L5) emerge and feed voraciously on the leaves, until they mature in spring and descend in procession to the ground, to bury themselves and pupate, closing the cycle. During the winter, the larvae weave silk pockets in the crown to protect themselves from the cold and, from L3 onwards, they emit stinging hairs that can cause irritation or intense allergic reactions in the ears, nose and throat in humans and domestic animals. They rarely cause death, although they do weaken the plant, making it vulnerable to attack by other insects or diseases. Although the processionary has a single annual cycle, development can be suspended in the chrysalis phase, with the moth emerging up to 4 years later when environmental conditions are favorable (diapause).