شناسایی Moths

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Gypsonoma dealbana

Gypsonoma dealbana

Gypsonoma dealbana, a Tortrix Moth



Gypsonoma dealbana is hard to identify at times, for it does look like a number of other Tortricids, especially Gypsonoma sociana. The first part of the upperwings (the shoulder) is marbled, the remainder is greyish white with lots of very variable markings. There is always a dark spot near the tip of the wing. The colour of this spot ranges from ochreous yellow through all kinds of browns to almost black. But that is the same in some other species. To tell them apart you must look at the 'face'. In Gypsonoma sociana the face is snow white, in Gypsonoma dealbana creamish white and much darker in all other species. The front legs are white with grey spots and so is the second pair, but they are ringed near the feet. It is a very small species reaching a wingspan of 11 to 14 mm only.

After hatching in august or september the larvae will mine a leaf, which means they live inside. When growing bigger they move to the underside of the leaf, but they might eat fresh sprouts as well. They hibernate not fully grown. In spring they behave like true leaf rolling moths bij spinning two or more leaves together. The caterpillars are creamy white and have a brown head and brown true feet. Just behind the head there is a dark brown spot divided into two parts by a thin yellowish white line. By the end of May pupation starts, either in leaves spun together or in the soil. The new generation of adult moths will be flying about in June, July and August. The caterpillars are found an various deciduous trees including oak, hawthorn hazel and willow. On the last two they also feed on the catkins.

This species flies from dusk till far after midnight. They are attracted to light in reasonable numbers, usually around midnight. A very common species in England, Wales and Ireland, but getting scarcer to the north. Also a very common species over most of Europe, Northern Asia, Korea and Japan.

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Long-cloaked Marble Hedya ochroleucana

Long-cloaked Marble Hedya ochroleucana

Long Cloaked Marble (Hedya ochroleucana)


The Long Cloaked Marble, also known as the Early Fruit Moth, Plum Tortricid or Plum Tortrix, is an attractive and not very variable species. The front part of the upperwing is blackblueish marbled. The last part however is of a creamy colour with darker patches. These patches are pink in very fresh specimens, but that colour quickly fades through salmoncolours and light reddish brown into a yellowish grey. The hindwing is greyish, usually light grey in males and dark grey in females. The legs are creamy with grey rings. The antennae are greyish brown with a solid grey patch, usually some half way from the base or near the top. Males and females are identical, except for the colours of the hindwings. The Plum Tortrix useually reaches a wingspan of anything between 16 and 21 mm.

The eggs are deposited in small groups of two or three on the upperside of the leaves of the foodplants in july and august. After hatching the caterpillars spin together two or more leaves. But sometimes all leaves of a fresh sprout are spun tohether. These larvae are dark green and have a strikingly black head. They reach a length of 16 to 18mm. Pupation takes place in May and June. The black pupa is at the same place the larva used to be before pupation. Two or three weeks later the adults leave their pupa. The main time to see this species flying about is June and July. The species has a few hostplants only, the first and main being: roses, both the wild and the cultivated varieties. The damage they do is not very intense, but attacking developing sprouts they can cause the rose plants to look simply miserable and infested sprouts have fewer or no flowers. Sometimes this species also appears on apple trees, where they do no real damage.

This species flies by night exclusively, especially before midnight and is easily attrated by light. The Long Cloaked Marble species has a vast distribution area: from Europe through Russia, China, Korea and Japan to Northern America, but it hardly ever appears in great numbers.

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Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana

Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana

Marbled Orchard Tortrix Hedya nubiferana

This Tortrix Moth is extremely difficult to identify. It looks like other Hedya species very much indeed. Compared to the Long-cloaked Marble the dark parts of the wing are blueish rather than brownish. The white parts are really white and not creamish at all. Alas, there is another common species: the Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana). It too looks very similar, but usually has a very dark spot in the tip of the forewing. And there are other similar species too. Even experts often have a hard time identifying these species. And even size doesn't mean a lot, for they all start at some 15 mm wingspan. The Marbled Orchard Tortrix and the Long-cloaked Marble will both be some 23 mm tops. The Plum Tortrix usually doesn't reach a bigger wingspan than some 18 mm.

The eggs are laid separately or in small groups, usually on the underside of a leaf. They hatch quickly, normally within a fortnight, but sometimes in just one week. During the first week of its life, the caterpillar of the Marbled Orchard Tortrix is light brown. It looks terribly bald and even slightly transparant. After casting this initial skin the caterpillar turns a glazy dark green. It has blackish spots all over the body and a black, saddle like spot just behind the head. The head itself is darkbrown or black. It is hard to tell it apart from other Tortrix larvae. The caterpillars may be found from June onwards. For a small moth like this, the caterpillars are rather big, for full-grown they'll reach some 18 to 25 mm. Young caterpillars, measuring some 7 mm only, overwinter in a light cocoon, which is spun near the fork of branches or in the bark of the tree. In early spring they will leave their shelter and penetrate a young bud. They spin together a couple of small leaves and start feeding again. This is the time they do most damage to various fruit trees. Later in the year the newly emerged larvae might nibble on almost full grown fruit superficially. As such there is almost no damage done, but the fruit gets very perceptible to fungi and diseases. The Marbled Orchard Tortrix may become a plague in apples, pears and prunes. They are hard to fight though, as they also use common hostplants in the wild, such as Hawthorn and Rowan (or Moutain Ash).

The Marbled Orchard Tortrix is on the wing from the end of May to the beginning of September. It flies from dusk onwards and is easily attracted to light. During daytime it rests on the top of leaves of trees and shrubs. Most abundant of all Hedya species and common all over the British Isles.

Scientifically also known as Hedya dimidioalba. The caterpillar is also known as the Green Budworm.

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Rose Garden Tortrix Acleris variegana

Rose Garden Tortrix Acleris variegana

Rose Garden Tortrix Acleris variegana

The Rose Garden Tortrix is a variable species, like most other Acleris species. Still this is one of the more easily identifiable of the Acleris genus, for the contrast between the first part of the wings and the latter part is always there. The first one third of the front wings is whitish, showing a big brownish black blob in the center, the remainder of the wings is brownish with a patch of variable size. This patch may be dark, like in the specimen in the pictures, but might also be as white as the first part of the wings is. The hind wings are grey. The legs are always ringed. Reaching a wingspan of some 16 to 19 mm it is a small species.

The eggs are yellowish or pale reddish and deposited one by one or in small groups on either side of the leaf of the foodplant, usually near the mid rib. The eggs hatch in spring. The larvae are pale green with a brownish head and pale brown real legs. Full grown larvae are some 12 to 14 mm. They feed in May and the beginning of June mainly, but are sometimes seen well into the first half of July. The pupa is only some 9 mm long and brownish. The pupal stage takes only some 2 to 4 weeks. In most of Britain adults appear from July to September, but a little later in cooler areas, where the period they are seen is also shorter. The larvae live on a great variety of plants, including apple, pear, raspberry, roses (including garden varieties), Berberis, apricot, cherry. The species does however not appear in huge numbers on one plant and usually there is not much damage done to the host plants.

The pheromone of this species is well known and sometimes used to attract the moths. It is a species that exclusively flies by night. It is attracted to bright lights occasionally, but in very small numbers only. In most parts of the world little is known about parasitic wasps or flies attacking larva or pupa. This is a very common species all over Europe, including much of Britain. It can also be found in Northern and Central Asia, China, Japan and Northern America.

This species is also known as the Variegated Button and the Fruit Tortricid.

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Acleris logiana

Acleris logiana

Acleris logiana

Acleris logiana is a beautiful, white Tortrix Moth. It apparently does not have a common name in English. There are some other species looking a lot like this one. Identification however is not particularly difficult if you look at the combination of the particulars given below. First of all the colour of the upperwings is a milky white. In the middle of the wing, at the top edge, is a dark half circle. Sometimes it is well developed and clearly visible. Other times it is just hinted by some smears. But it is always there and it is always an open half cicrle, while in many look-a-like species this circle is filled up by darker scales. Near the circle run one or two more or less wavy, broad lines over the wings. These two may be very pronounced, but at times are hardly visible rows of smears. The lines are usually of a lighter colour than the circle. The colour of this circle and these lines is highly variable: brownish, reddish or yellowish. Acleris logiana has a typical resting pose: flat to the surface it sits on, with neither legs nor antennae visible. It gives the impression of a very small Owlet Moth. The species' wingspan is some 18 to 22 mm.

In spring the eggs are deposited on the leaves of birch trees. The young caterpillars spin two or three leaves together and lives inside. They rather quickly pupate to reveal fresh new adult moths in June and July. These are going to live for a long time, for it is the adult overwintering. Often the adults are not very active: they will be found at the same resting place (often the trunk of a birch) for many days in a row, especially in autumn and winter. The caterpillar of this species is found on one hostplant only: the birch.

This species can be seen for a very long time indeed: adults regularly appear all year round, except for the two coldest winter months. However it never appears in great numbers. This white Tortrix is hardly ever attracted to light. In Britain this has been a species of the Scottish Highlands only for a very long time, but nowadays it regularly turns up southwards. But it is still a rare species in England and Wales. In the Benelux this species is quite common where ever the host plants are present. Also a common species in Northern Europe and Western Siberia.

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Acleris notana

Acleris notana

Acleris notana

The reason we put two species together on this one page is that these are not only identical, but both species are also extremely variable. By just looking at them you will not be able to tell which is which. The specimen in the second picture however is likely to be Acleris notana, as Acleris ferrugana never gets that dark. The only way to tell them apart really is by examining the genitals under the microscope. In order to be able to do so, you have to kill the animal. We don't do that just for our site. Besides it won't help you much in determining which species you have found. Should you have found one of these two you either live with not knowing which it is, or you kill and dissect the animal after which you surf to specialized sites showing you the drawings of the genitals. As you can see these species maybe white, showing a dark half circle near the edge of the upperwing. They may also be brown, showing quite a dotted pattern, not seen in the white ones. In the brown specimens the circle is often lacking, but there is a dot on the place the circle usually runs. This dot may be darker than the ground colour of the wing, but in other cases it has a white center. And alas, many more variations are possible. The legs are greyish or in about the same colour as the wings and ringed. The antennae have the same colour, may be ringed but may be solid as well. Reaching a wingspan of some 14 to 18 mm both are rather small species.

Both species produce two generations a year. The autumn generation, appearing from September overwinters. The eggs are deposited in April on the host plants. The larvae fold one leaf and spin it in the folded position and lives inside. They also pupate that way. In June and July the summer generation flies about. They lay the eggs producing the autumn generation. As a result these species are present almost all year round. Acleris ferrugana however is peaking in April and October, Acleris notnana is peaking in June and August. However as the other species is still around, this is no way telling them apart. The caterpillar of Acleris notana is often said to prefer Oak, but Kuchlein mentions Birch as main host plant. Acleris ferrugana is sometimes said to prefer Birch, but in the Benelux is also found on Oak, and Beech.

Both species are fairly common all over Britain. The exact distribution is not known, due to the fact that reliable identifications are scarce. Scientific research in Holland shows that A. notana is more common than A. ferrugana, even though in our garden both are very likely to appear. Both species are quite common in Western, Northern and Central Europe.

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Acleris notana / Acleris ferrugana

Acleris notana / Acleris ferrugana

Acleris notana / Acleris ferrugana

The reason we put two species together on this one page is that these are not only identical, but both species are also extremely variable. By just looking at them you will not be able to tell which is which. The specimen in the second picture however is likely to be Acleris notana, as Acleris ferrugana never gets that dark. The only way to tell them apart really is by examining the genitals under the microscope. In order to be able to do so, you have to kill the animal. We don't do that just for our site. Besides it won't help you much in determining which species you have found. Should you have found one of these two you either live with not knowing which it is, or you kill and dissect the animal after which you surf to specialized sites showing you the drawings of the genitals. As you can see these species maybe white, showing a dark half circle near the edge of the upperwing. They may also be brown, showing quite a dotted pattern, not seen in the white ones. In the brown specimens the circle is often lacking, but there is a dot on the place the circle usually runs. This dot may be darker than the ground colour of the wing, but in other cases it has a white center. And alas, many more variations are possible. The legs are greyish or in about the same colour as the wings and ringed. The antennae have the same colour, may be ringed but may be solid as well. Reaching a wingspan of some 14 to 18 mm both are rather small species.

Both species produce two generations a year. The autumn generation, appearing from September overwinters. The eggs are deposited in April on the host plants. The larvae fold one leaf and spin it in the folded position and lives inside. They also pupate that way. In June and July the summer generation flies about. They lay the eggs producing the autumn generation. As a result these species are present almost all year round. Acleris ferrugana however is peaking in April and October, Acleris notnana is peaking in June and August. However as the other species is still around, this is no way telling them apart. The caterpillar of Acleris notana is often said to prefer Oak, but Kuchlein mentions Birch as main host plant. Acleris ferrugana is sometimes said to prefer Birch, but in the Benelux is also found on Oak, and Beech.

Both species are fairly common all over Britain. The exact distribution is not known, due to the fact that reliable identifications are scarce. Scientific research in Holland shows that A. notana is more common than A. ferrugana, even though in our garden both are very likely to appear. Both species are quite common in Western, Northern and Central Europe.

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Bramble Shoot Moth Notocelia uddmanniana

Bramble Shoot Moth Notocelia uddmanniana

Bramble Shoot Moth Notocelia uddmanniana

The Bramble Shoot Moth is among the easier Tortrixes when it comes to identifying it. It is greyish brown with a big, chocolate brown blotch on both wings. When the wings are hold together it forms one big patch of chocolate. A much smaller brown spot is visible in the tip of each wing. From both edges of the wing a greyish, variable line or patch runs towards the brown blob. The grey parts usually contain many silvry scales. The wingspan is some 15 to 20 mm.

The larvae are pinkish brown, with small dark spots. The caterpillar's head is black. They spin together fresh leaves and sprouts of brambles. Like the larvae of many other Tortrixes the caterpillars remain small during summer and autumn and overwinter. In early spring they attack the fresh leaves and sprouts. They are somewhat harmful in the cultivation of brambles.

The Bramble Shoot Moth is single-brooded. It is on the wing in July and August and starts flying after dusk. Is not really attracted to light. All over Britain this is a very common species, but a local one in certain areas. Common, but often local, on the continent as well.

This species is also known as Uddmann's Bell. Formerly scientifically known as Epiblema uddmanniana.

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Pale Yellow Leafroller Aleimma loeflingiana

Pale Yellow Leafroller Aleimma loeflingiana

Pale Yellow Leafroller Aleimma loeflingiana

The basic colour of the Pale Yellow Leafroller is variable and may be white or ochreous. It is heavily marked with rusty brown specks, smears and spots. Two larger spots in the middle of the wing have lots of silvry grey or blackish scales, arranged in two not very well defined bands. Above these bands, near the base of the wing often is a much smaller darker spot, which may or may not contain silvry or blackish scales as well. Quite variable species, especially where the dark scales are concerned. Very light and unmarked specimens are often appearing, like the one in the bottom pictures. The antennae are ringed, the legs are mainly grey. Luckily there is no similar species. Identification usually does not present you with a problem. It is a rather small species, for the wingspan is between 14 and 19 mm only.

The eggs are being laid in summer and overwinter. They hatch by the beginning of May. The caterpillars of the Pale Yellow Leafroller roll up a leaf, or fold one together and eat it from within. They are dark green or even blackish green, covered in many rather big black dots. The head and the neckshield are dark or even black as well. The larvae grow to be some 15mm in length. They are found on oak, maple, sycamore and hornbeam.

This is a typical summer species, on the wing from June to the middle of August. Is attracted to light sporadically, but is usually seen resting on top of a leaf during the day. A very common species in England and Wales. In Scotland only found in the southern parts. On the continent the Pale Yellow Leafroller also is a very common species. In Scandinavia only found in the southern part of Sweden.

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Dark Strawberry Tortrix Celypha lacunana

Dark Strawberry Tortrix Celypha lacunana

Dark Strawberry Tortrix Celypha lacunana

The Dark Strawberry Tortrix is a very beautiful little moth and is among the most common species around. It is marbled in all kinds of browns over the upperwings with a few silvry lines thrown in for beauty. On the second half of the wing a broad darker brown patch is visible. The hind wings are solid darkbrown and so are the legs, but these have some white rings around them. Celypha lacunana is slightly variable when it comes to markings and very variable when it comes to colour. Darker animals appear regularly, like the one in the bottom pictures. It is an ordinary Tortrix Moths when it comes to size however, because the wingspan is some 16 to 19 mm.

The eggs are deposited from May. The caterpillar folds together two or more leaves and lives between them. The not fully grown caterpillar overwinters in a cocoon on a twig or between leaves. After it has grown to maternity, it falls down and pupates in a cocoon among the leaflitter. It is quite variable in colour. Usually it is a darker kind of brown, but it may also be yellowish brown or reddish brown. It will eat almost anything: leaves, sprouts, buds and even flowers of a great variety of trees, shrubs and flowering plants. In gardens regularly found in Cyclamen. Eggs which have been deposited early may result in a second generation, flying about in August and September.

Because of this 2nd generation the species has a long season: from April to the end of September. Appears abundantly frequently. During day time you may disturb it at its resting place and it will fly away. It actually flies from dusk to far past midnight and it's easily attracted to lights. A common species throughout Britain, including the northern parts of Scotland, and often appearing in great numbers. Also very common all over Europe, even in the most northern of regions.

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Pseudargyrotoza conwagana

Pseudargyrotoza conwagana

Pseudargyrotoza conwagana

Pseudargyrotoza conwagana has a rather complicated name and is one of the smallest Leaf-rolling moths. Identification is simple: it is yellowish and brownish having a circular yellow marking on top (even though this is not always as obvious) and between all these colours silver scales are scattered in small groups. These silvery scales are not uncommon in Tortrixes. They reflect sunlight just like leaves do, making the animal hard to spot when resting on leaves in sunshine. The legs are greyish brown showing some darker patches, especially the front legs. Only some 5 mm long this moth has a wingspan of 11 to 15 mm, but usually some 12 mm only.

The eggs are deposited in summer. The caterpillar usually just curls up one leaf and lives inside the curl until the leaf is eaten. We find the larvae on Fraxinus and Ligustrum only. Pseudargyrotoza conwagana flies by day and by night. We see the adults flying about from April to July, but sometimes they appear to the beginning of September.

This is a common species throughout Britain. Also a common species on the European continent, however rarely appearing in large numbers.

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Olethreutes arcuella

Olethreutes arcuella

Olethreutes arcuella

It is a shame really that we do not have a common English name for the most beautiful of all leaf-rolling moths. The Germans are more respectful and call it the Splendid Roller (Prachtwickler). The bright orange background colour of the upperwing, with silvry, black, brown and yellow markings make this a species one not only never forgets, but make it unique as well: there is nothing like it in the moths world. Like many other Tortrixes the legs are creamy white with gray rings. The fact many people have never seen it at all is probably due to it's small size: the wingspan is some 14 to 18 mm only, meaning the animal isn't even 1 centimeter long.

The eggs are being laid in June and July mainly. They are deposited in leaflitter or on the leaves of small, low growing plants. The larvae come out in late summer and live in a leave rolled up. They are entirely dark brown. Just before winter they move to a pile of plant rubble and leaves, spin a leaf together and overwinter. Next spring they become active again and remain in the pile of rubble and leaves to finish their completion. Then they pupate within a cocoon. The new generation of moths appears from the beginning of June and flies about to the beginning of August.

Olethreutes arcuella is a remarkable moth, for not only is it a beauty, it also flies by day. In the evenings it is sometimes attracted to light, though. The splendid colours are such that it is not as easily seen between leaves as might be expected and extremely hard to see in flight. Scarce in England and Wales, rare in Scotland and Ireland, getting even rarer to the north. Scattered throughout Europe, but never appearing in great numbers.

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Chestnut Tortrix Cydia splendana

Chestnut Tortrix Cydia splendana

Chestnut Tortrix Cydia splendana

The Chestnut Tortrix comes in two varieties. Most seen (up to 90% of all specimens) is the grey variety. It has some dark markings towards the end and at the front edge of the wings some waves in darker and lighter colours are visible. A minority however is very dark indeed. The grey in the wings of the usual specimens seems to have been replaced with black. You can see this variation in the bottom pictures. In both variations however the hindwings are darkbrown or almost black. The legs are greyish showing some lighter spots and bands, the antennae are also grey with white spots, especially near the base. There is no noticable difference between males and females. The variation in size is remarkable, for the wingspan may be anything between 14 and 22 mm.

In some ten days the female deposits around 60 eggs daily. The eggs are laid on the nuts, except for Chestnuts. In this case the eggs are deposited on a leaf near the growing nut. The newly hatched caterpillars bore into the nut and stay there untill it drops out of the tree. They are yellowish white and look like maggots rather than caterpillars. They are relatively short, reaching a length of no more than 13 to 15 mm. They eat the fruit from the inside, filling it up with faeces doing so. Infested fruit drops to the ground earlier than ripe, healthy ones. When the fruit drops the caterpillar will leave the nut. It usually buries a little hole in the earth to pupate, but some climb up trees to seek shelter in the bark or pupate in leaf litter. The caterpillar spins a darkbrown cocoon before pupating. The pupa, which is only about 1 centimeter long, overwinters. In spring next year the first new born adults appear. It is remarkable that the males live longer than the females do (usually this is just the other way around) and do not eat at all. The host plants of this species are oak, wallnut trees and chestnuts, including the edible varieties. In Southern Europe they became a big pest in chestnuts, while wallnuts are infected more northwards.

To fight this insect pheromones are used to lure them. Chemicals however are also still used regularly, especially in Southern Europe. Because they lead such a sheltered life, the caterpillars and pupa are popular among the parasitic flies and wasps. Adults rest on trunks and leaves during the day. They start flying in dusk and remain active till midnight. Often males will swarm in large numbers. The Chestnut Tortrix is hardly ever attracted by light and if so in very small numbers only. This is a very common species in light forests and plantations of chestnut or wallnut. Common all over Europe, including most of Russia. Also found in parts of Iran. In the USA and Canada nuts imported from Europe are always checked for the presence of this (and similar) species. The former scientific name of Laspeyresia splendana is still used regularly.

N.B. This species is also known as the Nut Fruit Tortrix and the Acorn Moth.

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Lobesia reliquana

Lobesia reliquana

Lobesia reliquana

We don't know very much about this species. We couldn't find much on the internet either. Many pictures shown are of dead specimens in museums. They are all rather colourless, dull and stuffy and nothing like a living one. The basic colour is orange brown. On top are big dark patches, some of them bordered with some white scales. Within the dark patches some scales even seem to be red. In short: this is a colourful and beautiful species. The hindwings are not that colourful (they hardly ever are). They are white at the base, becoming darker nearing the top. That top itself is black. It is a very tiny species, for the wingspan is hardly ever over 15 mm.

There is only one generation a year and that is on the wing quite early: from April to the end of June. The caterpillars prefer lots of plants, including some garden plants such as roses and composites. But usually the larvae live up trees, especially birch and oak. Adults only fly at night and are almost never attracted to lights. Usually one sees them during the day resting on leaves of plants and shrubs. The species often appears irregularly. In some years many seem to be flying about, while in other years none are seen.

A rather common species all over Europe, Northern Asia and Japan, but not in the Balkans. We were unable to find information about its presence in Britain.

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Cochylis nana

Cochylis nana

Cochylis nana

Cochylis nana is a beautiful Tortrix Moth, but like so many other Tortrixes there is no vernacular name for it. It is quite a colourful chap. The ground colour is a greyish white covered in ochreous, brownish and blackish markings. The legs are greyish white as well and ringed. It is not a very difficult species to identify. Cochylis nana is small, even considering it is a Tortrix Moth, for the wingspan is only some 12 to 15 mm.

The eggs are deposited on the catkins of birch. The caterpillars live on and in the catkin, which they eat. By the time the catkins will fall off the tree they move to the trunk of the tree looking for a crevice. Once inside they spin a cocon in which they hibernate being a full grown larva. In spring they pupate inside the same cocoon. The adult moths then fly from mid May to mid July. This species only lives on birch catkins.

Cochylis nana only flies by night. It can be attracted by light though. This is quite a local species throughout the British Isles, appearing in very small numbers only. A local and never numerous species all over Europe, Northern Asia, Japan and Northern America.

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Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana

Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana

Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana

The Green Oak Tortrix is the only tortrix moth in our region which is entirely green. It is easily identified, for everything behind the head is light green. The head, antennae and legs are yellowish brown, the hind wings are grayish brown, just like in many other tortrixes. The wingspan is highly variable and may be anything between 16 and 24 mm. Most animals however hardly reach a wingspan of 20 mm. The only similar species is an Owlet Moth (Noctuid) called the Cream-bordered Green Pea. The latter however has white hind wings, always rests with the wings less flattened, but more upright and has a creamish line on the edges of the wing, while the Green Oak Tortrix is entirely green. The two species can thus be told apart easily. They can be seen together regularly, because both fly at the same time and prefer similar habitats.

The Green Oak Tortrix deposits its eggs in summer on tree trunks or tree branches near a leaf's bud. Usually most eggs are laid in the upper part of a tree. The eggs are laid two by two and don't hatch untill March next year. The young larvae bore into fresh buds and start eating these from the inside. Later they roll up a leaf (or simply fold it) to eat it. The larvae have an enormous appetite and grow very quickly. By the end of April, or the beginning of May the first pupate. The first adult moths appear some three weeks later. Young larvae are greyish brown and almost unmarked. The head however is clearly darker than the body is. From their third instar the caterpillars are greyish green or green with black dots scattered over their backs. The head is brownish black at first, but later turns into black. The caterpillars remain quite small, reaching a length of some 12 mm. Sometimes almost full-grown caterpillars change to other trees, but usually this species is bound to oak. The Green Oak Tortrix may appear in great numbers, sometimes resulting in complete defoliage of infested trees.

In Western-Europe, including Britain, there is one brood only, on the wing from the end of May to mid-August. In Northern Europe (like in Scandinavia and parts of Siberia) the Green Oak Tortrix often overwinters twice. In the Near East and Cyprus however two generations a year is the rule. The moth flies by night exclusively, but is regularly found in daylight resting on leaves. Comes to light in very small numbers only. Adult moths have a life span of some 5 days only. Common and often even numerous in most of Britain, provided there's some oak around. In other parts of Europe just as abundant. Not only common in Europe, but in Northern Africa and the Near and Middle East as well. Spreads eastwards into Kazachstan and Iran.

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Spruce Tortricid Archips oporana

Spruce Tortricid Archips oporana

Spruce Tortricid Archips oporana

The Spruce Tortricid could have been called the Chocolate Moth, for all colours reminds one of chocolate. The basic colour is that of freshly ground cacao. All over the wings are smaller and bigger speckles and bars in a darker chocolate colour. This species is vary variable in markings, but luckily the colours don't change at all. In some cases there are big patches of browns, especially in the center of the wing and near the edge. In these cases the Spruce Tortricid is quite similar to other Archips species. The wingspan is also very variable and may be anything from 10 to 20 mm.

The larvae of the Spruce Tortricid have a rather vague yellowish green colour. Small black spots are dispersed all over the body. The head is dark: black or brown. After hatching the larvae mine a needle. Usually they enter the needle by a hole drilled near the bottom of the needle. They spin a small web around the infected needle and live inside as long as their size permits. Their excrements are pushed out of the needle and usually get stuck in the little web around the needle. Infected needles are easily recognized. Once too big to live inside a needle, they spin together several needles, between which they finish their development. The larvae are found on a number of conifers, but Scotch Pine and Silver Fir are favoured.

The Spruce Tortricid is on the wing from June to September. It flies by night, but is sometimes discovered during the day resting on a leaf. Is not frequently attracted to light. Used to be very rare in Britain, but is found more frequently lately. Still this is a scarce species of conifer woods and conifer plantations in Southern England. Not found in other parts of the British Isles. On the continent in general a very scarce species too, but locally more common.

For a long time this species was known as Archips piceana.

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Brown Oak Tortrix Archips xylosteana

Brown Oak Tortrix Archips xylosteana

Brown Oak Tortrix Archips xylosteana

The Brown Oak Tortrix is another brown leaf-rolling moth, which is sometimes difficult to identify, for it is quite variable. Male and female differ considerably. The male is best identified by its wing-shaped grey markings on approximately one third of the wing. Just above this marking is a dark spot, sometimes resembling an eye. The grey marking looks like a Batman-logo. The females are much lighter and less well marked. The markings in the tips of the wings are quite meaningless in this case, for they are extremely variable. Males will reach a wingspan of some 18 to 20 mm., females are some 3 to 4 mm larger. In the pictures on this page is a male.

The caterpillar is glazy and brownish. It has a black head and the end of the body is black as well. Over the head runs a bright, yellowish small line. The larvae of Archips xylosteana usually are some 10 to 14 mm in length. Like many other Tortrix-larvae the eggs are laid in summer and hatch quickly. The small larvae live among the leaves of the tree, but don't eat very much and grow kind of slowly. In autumn the larvae make a small cocoon in which they overwinter. In spring they get out of their cocoon as soon as the leaves are growing, roll up a leaf and eat it. Now they eat a lot and grow very fast. This is the stage they do damage to many trees. And the larvae are not choosy at all. They are found on Oak, just like the name indicates, but like Birch as well. Damage is also done to a number of trees humans are interested in as well, such as Prunus species, Apple and Pear.

Adult Brown Oak Tortrixes fly in summer (in June and July mainly, but also in decreasing numbers in August). They usually fly by night, but sometimes are seen during daylight. The moth comes to light regularly, but not in very great numbers. A very common species, occurring all over Europe, including most of the British Isles, often appearing in very great numbers.

NB This species is also known as the Golden Tortrix or the Variegated Golden Tortrix Moth.

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Fruit Tree Tortrix Archips podana

Fruit Tree Tortrix Archips podana

Fruit Tree Tortrix Archips podana

The Fruit-tree Tortrix Moth is a nicely decorated brown moth. It does look like a number of other brown Tortrixes, but usually can be told apart easily by the rather large light patches in the wing a little before the tip. Like many other Tortrixes the animals are quite variable though. Females are brighter and less well marked than males. Legs and antennae are of an indistinct beige or light brown. The wingspan of the Fruit-tree Tortrix is about the same as that of many other Tortrixes: some 19 to 26 mm. A female is depicted in the top two pictures on this page. The bottom picture shows a male.

Young caterpillars are green and have a brown head and two blackish dots on the segment next to the head. Full-grown larvae are glazy brownish green and have a dark, often black head. Normally a thin black line runs over the back. The caterpillars usually stay quite small and are hardly ever over 15 mm in length. The eggs are being laid in summer and hatch quickly. The young larvae will eat some leaves but isn't harmful yet. In autumn a small web is woven on the trunks of the tree, near a leaf bud. The larva overwinters in this little web. As soon as the leaves start to unfold in spring time, the larva leaves its web, spins together the young leaves and feeds on them. In this stage it is extremely harmful to the tree, especially should the larvae appear in great numbers, which they usually do. After the attack the tree usually makes a fresh set of leaves, but the fruit remains small, if appearing at all. The caterpillar of the Fruit-tree Tortrix is very interested in fruit trees, including all cultivars. Even though it concentrates on apple, it is also interested in pears, apricots, plums etc. Even rhododendrons and roses maybe a good source of food!

The adult moths fly in one generation usually. When conditions are excellent a second generation appears from time to time. The Fruit-tree Tortrix is on the wing from June to October. Sometimes seen flying at daylight, they usually become active after dusk. It is attracted to light in very small numbers only. A common species all over Europe, including most of the British Isles, often appearing in very great numbers. Has also reached Northern America where it became a pest locally. Found in the temperate zones of Asia as well.

NB This species has been called Archips oporana in the past. That name is now used for another species, which was called Archips picaena at the time. Keep this in mind, especially when consulting books published in the 1960's and 1970's.

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Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis corylana

Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis corylana

Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis corylana

The Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, also known as the Hazel Tortrix Moth or Filbert Tortricid is part of a group of look-a-like Tortrixes. Most of these are bad news in agriculture. They are all brownish with a pattern of lines or bands. In this species these lines are very fine engravements, more delicate than in similar species. Usually the moth is ochreous brown with dark brown markings. The hind wing is of the same colour, but without the markings. The legs, snout and antennae are whittish and unmarked. Normally females are darker than males and their markings are more intense. Variations within this species do occur. The colour in some cases is a dark, almost reddish, brown. In other cases greyish animals occur. However in the field this generally is not a very difficult species to identify, except for a pale brown, unmarked variety, which is very hard to identify at times. Size wise this is a typical Tortrix Moth, reaching a wingspan of some 18 to 21 mm in Britain and up to 24 mm on the continent.

The caterpillars are dark emerald green all over, except for a very few yellow markings found on the head. They are rather slender and reach a length of some 25 mm. Like other tortrixes they live between two leaves spun together, or within one folded leaf. The larvae hatch in autumn and overwinter. In May they become active again and eat fresh foliage. From June onwards they pupate in leaves of the same host plant they have been feeding on. The pupa is brown and some 15 mm long. The new adult moths appear from July to September. The caterpillars are polyphagous, which means they feed on the leaves many trees and shrubs. In Britain among many others Oak, Beech, Birch and Cherries are mentioned. However they have also been found in Ivy and Honeysuckle. Sometimes they appear in great numbers on cultivated apples and hazel, capable of causing considerable damage.

The pheromone of this species is virtually unknown. There are no natural enemies that could be useful to farmers, as only one parasitic fly is known to lay its eggs in the larvae or pupae, but this is not a specialized species. By day the moth can be found on leaves in shrubs. When disturbed it will fly away, but usually it only flies by night. Males especially are attracted by light, females less so. A common species over most of Britain. Also found in Northern and Central Europe, Northern Asia, Korea and Japan. Has been caught in New Zealand as well, but probably not a plague over there.

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Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis heparana

Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis heparana

Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis heparana

The Dark Fruit Tortrix, also known as the Willow Tortricid and the Apple Brown Tortrix, is another species belonging to the brownish group of Tortrixes. The brownish colours are darker than in relatives and the darker band on the wings is usually very well established. It lacks the fine lines of some other species, such as the Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix. The underwings are greyish brown. Snout, antennae and legs are greyish white and unmarked. Reaching a wingspan of 16 to 24 mm it is a typically sized Tortrix. Females and males are similar, except for the size: the females are usually bigger than the males are.Vrouwtjes en mannetjes zijn nagenoeg gelijk, alleen is het vrouwtje wat groter dan het mannetje. variable species, like most other Acleris species.

The flat and oval eggs are deposited on leaves in batches of some 40 pieces, usually on the underside of the leaves. They hatch in 2 to 4 weeks. Then appear small larvae. They will eat for some time, spin a retreat on a twig or on the stem of the foodplant and hibernate. They awaken in May and eat of young leafs or shoots. They reach a length of 25 mm tops. They are a kind of pale green with white markings on the sides and the head is yellowish green with a few white lines. They pupate from June on near the top of the infested shoots, usually between leaves. The pupa is dark brown or even almost black and up to 17 mm long. The adults appear from the end of May to the beginning of October. The larvae live on a great variety of trees and bushes, including apple, pear, plum and currant. They may be very harmful in agriculture. Not because of the damage caused in spring to fresh leaves, but because the young caterpillars often nibble on growing fruit, resulting in misgrow, fungus infections or making the fruit extremely unattractive. Even more so, because this species often appears in great numbers in late summer and autumn, even though only a few larvae survive winter.

The pheromone is known and used to lure the animal. It also suffers from several parasitic flies and wasps. We do not know though, whether one of these is used commercially. Very common species in Europe, including the British Isles, the Middle East, Northern Asia, China, Korea and Japan. Has been found in the USA and is considered being an agressive invader.

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Smaller Tea Tortrix Adoxophyes orana

Smaller Tea Tortrix Adoxophyes orana

Smaller Tea Tortrix Adoxophyes orana

The Smaller Tea Tortrix is also known as the Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth and is one of the most devastating pests in apples and pears. The upperwings are light ochreous brown with two darker patterns of a widening strip. Head, thorax and legs whitish brown. The hindwings are light grey. The females differ a bit from the males: they are bigger, the patterns on the front wings are darker and the hind wings are brownish grey. The males will reach a wingspan of 17 to 19 mm, the females up to 22 mm.

The Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth has two generations a year. The eggs for the first generation are deposited in May and June. The eggs are laid in groups of 20 to 100 in a circular form. They are transparent yellow. The larval development inside can be seen as a black dot growing bigger (it is the head of the caterpillar). The larva that hatches will eat leaves (often spun together) or the developing fruit and, if still available, even fruit blossoms. It will reach a length of some 18 to 22 mm and is olive green with a brown head and yellow dots on the flanks. It is highly active and fully grown in just three weeks time. Pupation takes place inside a cocoon in a folded leaf, or two leaves spun together. Out of the dark brown pupa, which is some 11 mm long, comes the second generation. It flies in August and September. Their larvae go into hibernation. They seek shelter in a forked branch, a crack in the bark or a folded leaf, make a cocoon there and wait for spring to come to complete their development. The caterpillars are to be found primarily on apples, but will also attack pears, peaches, cherries or plums. So to sum up: this species is on the wing from May to September, but often with July showing the lowest numbers.

This is one of the most dreaded pests in apples and pears. The larvae will not just stick to the leaves, but will do some damage to the fruit as well. This makes the fruit vulnerable to diseases, especially fungi invasions. Pesticides are reported not to work very well, as the animals have developed some resistance. Mechanical removement of caterpillars and larvae is complicated. The moths can be lured by pheromones, but the method hasn't proved very succesful. Nowadays a virus is used is to get control of this species. The Smaller Tea Tortrix flies from dusk to midnight. It comes to light, but in relatively small numbers. It is a common species all over Europe, including all of the British Isles, the Near and Middle East, Korea, Japan and Northern America.

In the USA better known as the Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth

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Tortricodes alternella

Tortricodes alternella

Tortricodes alternella

Tortricodes alternella is not a very remarkable Tortrix Moths. Actually it is a bit dull. The first part of the upperwings is greyish. Then follows a dark brown wavy line. The remainder of the wing is brownish grey. It has some dark brown dots and dotty lines. The legs are grey showing a few white bands or blobs. The species is quite big, for a Tortrix that is, because it may reach a wingspan of some 23 mm. The wings are slightly rolled up and tightly folded together. This makes this species unusually slender for a Leaf-rolling Moth.

This is an early species and usually the first Tortrix to be seen in early spring. Tortricodes alternella is on the wing from February to April. The larvae live between two leaves, spun together. It lives on a great variety of trees and shrubs. Especially oak, birch, hazel and hornbeam are mentioned as food plants.

The males are flying by day and by night, but the female flies by night only. The moths are easily attracted to light. A very common species in England and Wales, sometimes appearing in great numbers. Common in Southern Scotland and a local species in Northern Scotland and Ireland. In other parts of Europa a very common species usually.

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Dichrorampha acuminatana

Dichrorampha acuminatana

Dichrorampha acuminatana


At first glance Dichrorampha acuminatana looks like just another dull Tortricid. However in close up we see a rather attractive brownish animal. Halway the front wing is a large whitish blob. And at the rear edge of the wing we see another attractive light marking. The upperedge of the wing shows an interesting pattern of light and dark stripes and dots. The wingspan usually is between 11 and 16 mm.

The caterpillars are mainly seen on daisies. Dichrorampha acuminatana is on the wing all summer: from the end of May to the end of September. A common species over most of the British Isles.

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Ancylis unculana

Ancylis unculana

Ancylis unculana

The ground colour of Ancylis unculana is greyish. If it keeps it wings together, you'll see a very dark semicircular blob near the beginning of the wings. Near the top of the wings is a big well bordered chocolate marking. It actually is very similar to Ancylis badiata, but that species has the marking near the top of the wings less well bordered and of a dark brown colour. Only the lower part of the legs are ringed. The rest of the legs is grey and so are the antennae. Nopt a very big Tortricid, reaching a wingspan of some 12 to 16 mm.

The caterpillars of Ancylis unculana are exclusively found on buckthorn and alder buckthorn.

This is a real summer species, on the wing from mid May to the end of August. Ancylis unculana is not attracted to light and is ususally seen resting on top of a leaf during the day. It is a rather uncommon species, only reported from the southern parts of England, with an occasional find in mid England.

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Other Macro Moths (Various families)

Other Macro Moths (Various families)

Other Macro Moths (Various families)

This is a collection of Macro Moths, not delt with before. Usually this is due to the fact that they belong to smaller families, or to families of which only a few species are regularly seen in gardens. Most of these moths look a lot like Noctuids, such as the Pantheids, Eggars, some Tuft Moths and adult Slug Moths. Most Hawk-moths do look very different, but so far only a few have visited our garden. Of the very big moths in our region, most belong to the Hawk moths, of which some species will reach a wing span of some 140 mm! Among the Hook-tips are some that look like Noctuids, while other are similar to Geometer Worms. Some information about the family characteristics is given in the decription of the first representative of each family below.


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Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis

Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis

Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis

Reaching a wingspan of up to 46 mm., the Lunar Marbled Brown is a terrible species, for it varies in colouring very much. There is one we photographed which should have been called the Lunar Marbled Grey. It is a moderately common species in Southern England and Wales, rare in Southern Scotland and Ireland and absent in Northern Scotland. The species is on the wing in April and May, for there's only one brood. The larvae feed on oak exclusively.

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Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea

Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea

Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea

Family: Prominents (Notodontidae)


The Marbled Brown is another obvious Prominent Moth. It is fairly big (wingspan up to 45 mm), it holds its front feet stretched out when in rest and it is hairy. The Marbled Brown is extremely variable too. Often seen in a greyish brown colour with lots of white patches (forma trimacula). Other variations seen are brownish animals or blackish, melanistic ones (forma nigrescens). On the wing from the end of May to the beginning of July. Males readily come to light, females seldom. Actually the females are hardly ever seen. Like all other Prominents the adult moths do not eat. The caterpillars are found on oak only. The Marbled Brown is a very local species, found as far north as Western Scotland. Very rare in Ireland, though.

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Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi

Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi

Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi

Family: Prominents (Notodontidae)

The Lobster Moth is quite striking, for when at rest the hind wings often are spread outside the top wings, particularly at the sides. The animal gives the impression of being bigger than it actually is and broader too! The wingspan varies considerably from 55 to 70 mm. The basic colour maybe lightbrown, greyish or olive green. Just like in all other prominents the two first legs are hold forwards when the animal is at rest. Apparently the Lobster Moth flies later in Britain than on the continent: from mid-May to July. Males are attracted to light and are seen regularly. Females are not attracted to light and are rarely ever seen. The larvae of the Lobster Moth are bizarre: the last body segment is swollen and has two long wires instead of legs. When it feels threatened the swollen bodyparts are held over the rest of the body, the head is lifted and the animal shows his very long front legs. That is how it got its name "Lobster Moth". Because the creature is so curiously shaped it has been breeded with a lot. Its behaviour is weird as well, for the larvae will happily eat one another. Further more the larvae love to drink water. We apologize for not having pictures of this strange creature yet. The caterpillars are found on oak, hazel and birch, but most of all on beech. Not uncommon in Southern England, parts of Wales and Southwest Ireland.

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Buff-tip Phalera bucephala

Buff-tip Phalera bucephala

Buff-tip Phalera bucephala

Family: Prominents (Notodontidae)

The Buff-tip is a remarkable moth. When resting the wings are rolled up and thanks to the brown hairy 'face' the animal looks like a broken of twig of a birch. Because of this it is hard to see this is a rather big species, reaching a wingspan of almost 70 mm at times. Is often attracted to light during the night. The Buff-tip is on the wing from May to July. On occasions there are a lot of caterpillars, which live in large groups at first, capable of completely defoliating there beloved food trees: oak, elm and lime. The species is very capable of adapting to changing surroundings due to man's activities, and is frequently found in lanes, parks and gardens. The Buff-tip lives all over Europe and the moderate zones of Asia, including the Far East. Very common in England and Wales and rather common in Ireland and Scotland.

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