Cydia fagiglandana explained

Cydia fagiglandana, the beech moth, is a moth of the family Tortricidae.

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in most of Europe. [1] These moths mainly occur in beech woodland.

Description

Cydia fagiglandana can reach a wingspan of 12–16 mm.[2] The forewings are brown-black irrorated with whitish, crossed by pairs of fine dark brown stripes. The basal patch is slightly darker, the edge sharply angulated. There are two leaden-metallic streaks from costa posteriorly and a large darker coppery-tinged terminal patch hardly reaching costa. The ocellus within this patch is edged with leaden-metallic, enclosing some blackish marks. The hindwings are fuscous. The larvae are light yellowish or whitish, longitudinally clouded with orange; spots orange; head pale brownish; plate of 2 pale ochreous.[3] This species is rather similar to Cydia splendana.[2]

Biology

The moth flies from April to September depending on the location.[2] They are active in the evening. The larvae feed sometimes on oak (Quercus ilex, Quercus robur),[4] but usually on beech nuts (Fagus sylvatica).[2] The larval stage may last for two years. Pupation usually occurs in a cocoon spun in the soil or in rotten wood.[5] The first adults emerge in late spring.

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://fauna-eu.org/cdm_dataportal/taxon/c486d0b0-8b58-4f78-9d3b-d8e5f31c5786 Fauna Europaea
  2. https://ukmoths.org.uk/species/cydia-fagiglandana/ UK Moths
  3. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Keys and description
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20110212055458/http://microlepidoptera.nl/soorten/species.php?speciescode=363060&p=1 Microlepidoptera.nl
  5. https://projects.biodiversity.be/lepidoptera/species/5153/ Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Belgium