Cydia fagiglandana, the beech moth, is a moth of the family Tortricidae.

Beech moth
Adult of Cydia fagiglandana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tortricidae
Genus: Cydia
Species:
C. fagiglandana
Binomial name
Cydia fagiglandana
(Zeller, 1841)
Synonyms
  • Kenneliola fagiglandana Zeller, 1841[1]
  • Cydia grossana Haworth, 1811
  • Tortrix fagiglandana Zeller, 1841
  • Cydia fagiglandana corsica Gibeaux, 1999
  • Tortrix grossana Haworth, [1811]
  • Cydia fagiglandana subsp. corsica Gibeaux, 1999[2]
  • Cydia nimbana Pierce & Metcalfe, 1922

Distribution and habitat

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This species is present in most of Europe. [3] These moths mainly occur in beech woodland.[4]

Description

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Side view

Cydia fagiglandana can reach a wingspan of 12–16 mm.[4] The forewings are brown-black irrorated with whitish, crossed by pairs of fine dark brown stripes. The basal patch is slightly darker, the edge sharply angulated. There are two leaden-metallic streaks from costa posteriorly and a large darker coppery-tinged terminal patch hardly reaching costa. The ocellus within this patch is edged with leaden-metallic, enclosing some blackish marks. The hindwings are fuscous. The larvae are light yellowish or whitish, longitudinally clouded with orange; spots orange; head pale brownish; plate of 2 pale ochreous.[5] This species is rather similar to Cydia splendana.[4]

Biology

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The moth flies from April to September depending on the location.[4] They are active in the evening. The larvae feed sometimes on oak (Quercus ilex, Quercus robur),[6] but usually on beech nuts (Fagus sylvatica).[4] The larval stage may last for two years. Pupation usually occurs in a cocoon spun in the soil or in rotten wood.[7] The first adults emerge in late spring.

References

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  1. ^ Biolib
  2. ^ GBIF
  3. ^ Fauna Europaea
  4. ^ a b c d e UK Moths
  5. ^ Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  6. ^ Microlepidoptera.nl (in Dutch)
  7. ^ Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Belgium
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