Tortricidae

49.258 Fir-shoot Tortrix Zeiraphera rufimitrana (Herrich-Schäffer, 1851)

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 5.5 to 7.5mm

Habitats: Conifer plantations and mixed woodland.

Habits: The moth flies around the tops of conifers at dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva lives in the spun terminal shoots of European White Fir, Greek Fir or Stone Pine. It mines an expanding bud, then nibbles the leaves and loosely spins them together. This causes resin to flow and keep the bud cap in place. It then feeds on the base of the leaves within. It later spins a fresh shoot and lives in this shelter causing the infested shoot to turn red-brown. The larva pupates amongst the fallen needles.