Epinotia tedella (Clerck, 1759) Species
Last modified: Dec. 3, 2023, 10:49 a.m.
A fairly common species throughout Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Tortricidae > Subfamily: Olethreutinae > Tribus: Eucosmini > Genus: Epinotia > Species: Epinotia tedella
- Vernacular names
- Sparrenoogbladroller (NL), Common Spruce Bell, Common Spruce Tortrix (EN), Fichten-Hohlnadelwickler (DE)
- Synonyms
- Epinotia comitana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
- 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 10–13 mm. A fairly distinct marked species in white and dark brown colours resulting in an overall chequered or spotted appearance. It has also a cream-white labial palpus and head.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Caterpillar
Larva light brown or dirty white with two reddish brown subdorsal lines. Head and pronotum dark brown, anal plate greyish brown. Prolegs with c. 20 crochets in a single row.
Bionomics
The larva spins some leaves together, especially on young shoots. It hibernates in the spinning which it vacates when fully fed in spring. It drops to the ground and spun a silken cocoon between leaf-litter on the ground. It pupates in that cocoon around April.
During the day they are easily disturbed from rest amongst the branches of spruce. They fly on sunny afternoons but are more active towards sunset and later come to light.
Flight periods
The adult can be seen from March till late July, occasionally later. Specimens are regularly found in houses during the winter period.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Picea abies and Picea sitchensis
The larva feeds mainly on Picea abies and on Picea sitchensis.
Habitat
It inhabits coniferous woodland and plantations.
