Pandemis heparana, the dark fruit-tree tortrix or apple brown tortrix,[1] is a moth of the family Tortricidae.
This species can be found in most of Europe, in the eastern Palearctic realm, in the Near East, [2] and in North America.
Pandemis heparana has a wingspan of 16–24 mm.[3] In these moths the basic color of the forewings ranges from yellowish brown to reddish brown, with a reticulate pattern, a dark brown basal fascia, dark brown transversal bands, two triangular spots and brown fringes at the edge. The hindwings are gray-brown with white-yellow fringes. The larva can reach 22 mm and it is pale green.[4] [5]
This species is rather similar to Pandemis cerasana.[3]
These moths have two generations per year (bivoltine).[4] The moth flies from late May to mid-September in western Europe. The larvae are considered a pest of trees and shrubs.[5] They live in a rolled leaf and are polyphagous, feeding on various deciduous trees and shrubs including oak, willow, birch, honeysuckle, sorbus, apple and pear.[3] [5] Pupation takes places in the rolled leaves.[6] [4]