Pseudococcyx turionella (Linnaeus, 1758) Species
Last modified: Dec. 9, 2023, 10:56 a.m.
A very rare species in Belgium, mainly distributed in the Kempen.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Tortricidae > Subfamily: Olethreutinae > Tribus: Eucosmini > Genus: Pseudococcyx > Species: Pseudococcyx turionella
- Vernacular names
- Gewone dennenknopmot (NL), Pine Bud Moth (EN), Kiefernknospenwickler (DE)
- Synonyms
- Pseudococcyx turionana (Haworth, 1811)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1844. Énumération des insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société royale des Sciences de Liége 2: 1–35. On page 21.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 14–21 mm. A large species with dark brown forewings blotched and striated grey brown. There is a usually a sub-quadrate darker blotch on the costa at two thirds followed by vague costal strigulae.
The terminal third is suffused orange that variably extends further down the wing. The palps, head and thorax are light orange/ocher yellow. The thorax is mixed brown. The male has white hindwings with a brown shaded apex and dorsum and the female has darker hindwings.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
The caterpillar is light, dirty brown with a black head and a small dark brown neck plate.
Bionomics
The larva lives in buds and shoots. The presence of the caterpillars can be recognized by a resin discharge below the bud. The larva hibernates and pupates in the larval habitation.
The adults are active at dusk and later come to light.
Flight periods
The adults usually fly from mid-April till mid-June.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Pinus sylvestris
The larva lives mainly on Pinus sylvestris, less on other species of Pinus.
Habitat
It inhabits coniferous woodland and heathland with scattered pines.
