Tortrix Moths – 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

Light Brown Apple Moth

Epiphyas postvittana

I often come across this Tortrix moth on spring or summer evenings as it flitters about my garden, particularly around my small Crab Apple tree. It is a very variable species, ranging from quite plain to dark patterned. Forewing length 7 to 12mm.

Flies May to October in two generations, and seen in all places. This Naturalised Australian moth was first recorded in Cornwall in the 1930s. Abundant and expanding its range north.

The caterpillars are polyphagus, where they will eat any vegetation, and may be a serious pest in fruit orchards.

Photographs of Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana), taken May 2014, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2014. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

About this family of moths: Tortricidae – Tortrix Moths

This 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 known 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.

There are 3 subfamilies called Chlidanotinae, Tortricinae, and Olethreutinae under Tortricidae.

12/1612/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Insects, Macro Photography, Moths, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Epiphyas postvittana, Insects, Lepidoptera, Light Brown Apple Moth, Macro, Macro Photography, Moths, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Tortricidae, Tortricinae, Tortrix Moths, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography Leave a comment

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.