Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Archips xylosteana (Linnaeus) ( 635-637 )
Brown oak tortrix moth
Generally common in woodland habitats on trees,
shrubs and certain herbaceous plants; minor infestations
occur occasionally in gardens and nurseries on ash
( Fraxinus excelsior ), birch ( Betula ), crab-apple
( Malus ), elm ( Ulmus ), fir ( Abies ), hazel ( Corylus ),
honeysuckle ( Lonicera ), Hypericum , lime ( Tilia ), oak
( Quercus ) and some other trees and shrubs. Eurasiatic.
Present throughout much of Europe.
LIFE HISTORY
Eggs are laid during August and September on the bark
of host plants, and hatch in the following April. The
larvae then feed in the buds; later, each larva inhabits a
rolled leaf or spun shoot. Pupation occurs in the larval
habitation from June onwards. Adults occur from July to
early September.
DAMAGE
Infested leaves or shoots are disfiguring but of little or
no importance.
DESCRIPTION
Adult: 15-23 mm wingspan; fore wings whitish
ochreous, with reddish-brown, variegated markings;
hind wings greyish. Larva: up to 22 mm long; whitish
grey, sometimes grey or dark bluish grey, with black
pinacula; head shiny black; prothoracic plate black or
dark brown, with a whitish mid-line and collar; anal
comb present. Pupa: 9-12 mm long; dark brown or
black; cremaster elongate.
LIFE HISTORY
Adults occur in July, eggs being laid in batches on the
trunks or branches of various trees and shrubs. The eggs
are then coated with a brownish secretion which
camouflages them against the bark. They hatch in the
following April or early May. Larva then attack the
foliage, each inhabiting a rolled leaf. Individuals are
fully grown in June; they then pupate in the larval
habitation, and adults emerge a few weeks later.
635
DAMAGE
Larval habitations disfigure host plants and cause
concern. However, feeding is confined mainly to fully
expanded leaves and is, therefore, of little or no
significance.
635 Female brown oak tortrix moth ( Archips xylosteana ).
636
637
636 Larva of brown oak tortrix moth ( Archips xylosteana ).
637 Larval habitation of brown oak tortrix moth ( Archips
xylosteana ).
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