Tortricidae

49.257 Larch Tortrix Zeiraphera griseana (Hübner, [1799])

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 7.5 to 10.5mm

Habitats: Conifer plantation, larch plantation, parkland and gardens.

Habits: The moth flies high up around the top of the trees from late afternoon. It later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva spins bunches of needles of Scots Pine, Sitka Spruce, European Larch and occasionally European Silver Fir or Lodgepole Pine. The spun needles form a tube which the larva eats evenly from one end, until it is no longer concealed. It then leaves the spinning (which looks like a neat cup) and forms another spinning. After moving three or four times there will be a row of several discoloured cups each larger than the last. It pupates in a dense cocoon amongst the fallen needles on the ground.