Tortricidae

49.362 Early Oak Gall Moth Pammene giganteana (Peyerimhoff, 1863)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 6.5 to 7.5mm

Habitats: Woodland, parkland and heathland.

Habits: The moth flies in the afternoon on calm, sunny days. It occasionally comes to light and will visit sallow blossom. Pheremone lures have been developed for this moth and it has been found that it may be more widespread than its status suggests.

Foodplant: The larva lives in young Marble Galls and Spongy Galls on oaks (caused by Hymenoptera; Andricus and Biorhiza). A gall tenanted by a larva is indicated by frass exuding from it. In August the full-fed larva constructs a cocoon in an old gall, in dead leaves, twigs or under bark and pupates soon after.