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 -

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- 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

*** Last updated on 7 May 2025 by RP ***

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Wingspan: 11-17mm

Food Plant: Larch (Larix).

Last Recorded Date: 22/07/2024

Last Recorded Year: 2024

First Recorded Date: 18/07/2017

First Recorded Year: 2017

Last Recorded By - Christian Heintzen

Last Recorded General Area - Tor-side reservoir

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

Spilonota laricana – Tor-Side Reservoir – July 2024 – Christian Heintzen

Spilonota laricana – King’s Newton – 18/07/2017 – Will Soar

no images were found

Distribution Map for Spilonota laricana

derbyshiremoths.org © makes no guarantee of accuracy of data used in these maps and charts – they are presented to you with best endeavours and the data behind them updated periodically as time permits. Historic records are being discovered all the time. These will be assessed, so once they are all verified, they will be incorporated onto the map and charts.

Found 2 records
    ↳ 0 from After 2025
    ↳ 1 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 1 from Before 2020

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Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.

Monthly Records By Year: Spilonota laricana

Monthly Counts By Year: Spilonota laricana

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Spilonota laricana – 2 records available

Listed by Year - descending

Taxon	Site Name	Tetrad	Year	Date	Count
Spilonota laricana	Torside Reservoir northeast end	SK09U	2024	22/07/2024	1
Spilonota laricana	Main Street, Kings Newton	SK32Y	2018	18/07/2018	1