Olethreutinae – Nature Journeys

Tortricidae

Torticidae is the largest and most diverse group of microlepidoptera with over 6,000 species worldwide, and up to 399 species in Britain belonging to the superfamily Tortricoidea. The caterpillars of these Tortrix moths live in rolled-up leaves or flowers held together with silken threads, hence they are know as “leafrollers”. This way they feed safely protected from predators. Some of these are considered serious pests in agriculture, horticulture and forestry, causing major damage to a wide variety of crops, including fruit of all kinds, tea and coffee, cereals and cotton. The Colding Moth, by example, causes serious damage to apples and pears, the larvae boring into and eating the fruit.

The moths featured in this post belong to the subfamily Olethreutinae.

Codling Moth Cydia pomonella — Codling Moth *Cydia pomonella*

Bud Moth Spilonota ocellana — Bud Moth *Spilonota ocellana*

All photographs taken in 2011, rear garden, Staffordshire, except for last image taken in local field. © Pete Hillman 2011.

03/1703/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Insects, Macro Photography, Moths, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella, Epiblema costipunctana, Eudemis profundana, Insects, Lepidoptera, Macro, Macro Photography, Moths, Nature, Nature Photography, Olethreutinae, Photography, Rhyacionia pinicolana, Spilonota ocellana, Tortricidae, Tortrix Moths, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 6 Comments

Celypha striana

A brownish moth with a distinct brown cross-band. Forewing length 7 to 10mm.

It flies June to August, and inhabits grassland. A common and widespread species in southern Britain, becoming less so further north.

The caterpillar feeds on the roots of Dandelion.

Photographs of Celypha striana, taken June 2015, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2015. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

09/1609/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Insects, Moths, Nature PhotographyTags: Celypha striana, Insects, Lepidoptera, Macro, Macro Photography, Moth, Moths, Nature, Nature Photography, Olethreutinae, Tortricidae, Tortrix Moths, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 3 Comments

White-foot Bell

Epiblema foenella – A very distinctive moth with its whitish angular horseshoe shape marking, although this may vary. This was the first time I have seen this moth, and I couldn’t resist photographing it.