Tortricidae

49.358 Rose Piercer Grapholita tenebrosana Duponchel, [1843]

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 5.5 to 6.5mm

Habitats: Woodland rides and margins, scrub on calcareous grassland, moorland, hedgerows, amenity planting and gardens.

Habits: The moth flies high over roses or rests on the flowers in sunshine. It occasionally comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva lives in the fruits of Dog Rose and other roses, including cultivars. The larva mines the surface of hips causing brown stripes on the surface. It later eats into the pulp, causing the surface to wrinkle and turn dark purple. In September the full-fed larva leaves the hip and constructs a cocoon in rotten wood or under bark where it overwinters before pupating in April.