Last modified: Jan. 3, 2024, 10:42 a.m.
Present throughout Belgium, but not so common.
Native
Wingspan 16–21 mm. Considerable variation occurs amongst many different forms.
Distinctive dorsal blotch is often present, sometimes darker and other times paler than the ground colour.
There is an easily recognised form that has a large double lobed dark patch along the dorsum. Some of these are ferruginous or black which is distinctive.
Other less clearly marked or coloured forms are impossible to separate from forms of Epinotia sordidana and Epinotia brunnichana and must be determined by genitalia dissection.
The larva has a yellowish-brown head mottled with dark brown.
Hibernates as an egg. The larva lives in a leaf, rolled longitudinally on the host plant. It pupates in the earth.
They are active at dusk and later come to light.
The adults are usually observed from late June towards mid-August, occasionally later.
The larva lives on various trees and shrubs, including Betula, Corylus and occasionally Rosa.
It inhabits woodland and scrubby habitats.