A leaf from the South Australian blue gum, Eucalyptus leucoxylon, which has been attacked by the larvae of the leaf skeletoniser moth, Uraba lugens, c

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A leaf from the South Australian blue gum, Eucalyptus leucoxylon, which has been attacked by the larvae of the leaf skeletoniser moth, Uraba lugens, clearly revealing the vascular system. The whitish silk threads left by the larvae are still visible clinging to the skeletonized leaf. The leaves from all the eucalypts yield eucalyptus oil, although only 20 species are exploited commercially. Medicinal oil is used in soaps, gargles and lozenges; it is an antiseptic & stain remover. Its active therapeutic agent is cineole. The oil is used industrially as a deoderant and disinfectant, and as a source of piperitone from which thymol and menthol are manufactured.

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Size: 3090px × 4613px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: botany, eucalyptus, gum, leaf, leaves, lugens, moth, nature, plant, plants, skeletoniser, tree, uraba