49.225 BF1205a - Tortricidae - Olethruetinae - Spilonota laricana

49.225 BF1205a - Tortricidae - Olethreutinae - Spilonota laricana - Larch Bud Moth

Adult Micro: CAT 2 - Confusion Species - Leaf-miner: CAT L - The leaf or a Photo required -

- click for Verification Guidelines

- Significant Record / Very Rare / Vagrant - Leaf Miner

Taxonomy: Micro >> Tortricidae

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: Spilonota ocellana

ID pointers: Please note Spilonota laricana was formerly thought a rather dark but distinctive form of Spilonota ocellana but is now a distinct species, separated with care by more extensive grey suffusion over half the wing and more extensive black dashes. However, a dark form of S. ocellana also occurs, where the paler areas of the wing are all darkened. S. laricana retains the pale dorsal central area. S. ocellana also has a broader forewing.

Distribution: (First record: 18/07/2017 at King's Newton ) - (Last record: 22/07/2024 at Tor-side reservoir ) - Appears to be only two records of this species which was formerly considered to be a form of Bud Moth (Spilonota ocellana).One from Kings Newton 18/7/2017 So this potentially a first record for the VC57, and one recorded from Tor-side Reservoir, Derbyshire in July 2024.

Flight Period: June / July / August / - On the wing June-August.

- The larvae mine the needles of the food plant then overwinter and feed on the yooung buds in the spring.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Wingspan: 11-17mm

Food Plant: Larch (Larix).

Last Recorded Date: 22/07/2024

Last Recorded By: Christian Heintzen

Last Recorded General Area: Tor-side reservoir

First Recorded Date: 18/07/2017

IMAGES BELOW: Tor-side Reservoir, Derbyshire – Christian Heintzen© / Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Will Soar© 18/7/2017.