Tortricidae

49.3445 False Codling Moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick, 1913)

Adventive / Immigrant? / Escapes?

Similar species:

Forewing: Male c7mm. Female c9mm.

Habitats: In its native countries, citrus plantations, orchards, agricultural fields etc.

Habits: Its habits are little known in Britain. A sub-saharan afro-tropical species, also found in Israel, that was originally imported with fruit and vegetables. It is said that it cannot survive freezing temperatures, so perhaps those recorded at light are from discarded fruit. It has invaded glasshouses in the Netherlands and was eradicated.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on fruit and vegetables including citrus fruit, especially oranges, but also Grapefruit, Avocado, Guava, Maize, Grapes, Peach, Pomegranite, rose hips, cotton, tea and castor oil seeds, peppers, chillis and many other species. It leaves the fruit when it falls.