49.044 BF1025 - Tortricidae - Tortricinae - Tortricodes alternella

49.044 BF1025 - Tortricidae - Tortricinae - Tortricodes alternella - Spring Harbinger - ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Adult Micro: CAT 1 - Distinctive Species -

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- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce

Taxonomy: Micro >> Tortricidae

Other Name/s: Winter Shade

ID Difficulty: green

- easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.

ID pointers: Quite distinctive. Has a very narrow wing shape for a Tortrix and has a habit of rolling its wings like a cigar. Ground colour can be Silver grey-brown to yellowish brown. A pale cross-band just below the shoulders. Obscurely marked grey forms occur.

Distribution: (Last record: 20/02/2024 at Froggatt ) - It seems to have a patchy distribution in the county and favours Oak woodlands. One of the earliest Tortricids to be on the wing. Since 2004 to 2024 only 20 records have been reported.

Flight Period: February / March / April / - On the wing during February – April.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

*** Last updated on 10 March 2025 by RP ***

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Wingspan: 19-23mm

Food Plant: Oak (Quercus) and Hornbeam (Carpinus).

Last Recorded Date: 20/02/2024

Last Recorded By: Bryan Barnacle

Last Recorded General Area: Froggatt

No First Date Information Recorded