Epinotia abbreviana is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It is found in Europe and was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794.[1]

Epinotia abbreviana
Male genitalia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tortricidae
Genus: Epinotia
Species:
E. abbreviana
Binomial name
Epinotia abbreviana
(Fabricius, 1794)[1]
Synonyms
  • Pyralis abbreviana Fabricius, 1794
  • Epinotia trimaculana Donovan, 1806

Description edit

The wingspan is 13-15 mm.The palpi are whitish, grey towards the tips . The forewings vary from white to ochreous, sometimes with dark fuscous strigulae. The costa has dark fuscous and pale or white strigulae. The edge of the basal patch is angulated in the middle. The central fascia is dilated dorsally, and there is an irregular spot before the termen in middle. This is usually more or less ochreous and much striated or suffused with dark fuscous, in ochreous specimens it is sometimes obsolete . The apical area is ochreous. The margins of the ocellus and sometimes two streaks from the costa are posteriorly leaden-metallic. The hindwings are grey. The larva is pale greenish or yellowish, more brownish above ; head and plate of 2 black : .[2]


Life cycle edit

The moth can be found in June and July flying at dusk and night. During the day it can be found on the trunks or foliage of elm (Ulmus species). It occasionally comes to light.[3]

Larvae edit

 
Feeding pattern of early instar

Larvae can be found from April to June, with early instars initially feeding within a developing bud, perforating the leaf. As the bud opens, the leaf expands to show the distinctive feeding pattern. Later they feed in a spinning on another leaf. Field maple (Acer campestre) is also eaten and larvae have been found on greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), which indicates it will eat herbaceous plants if dislodged from its normal feeding place on elm.[4]

Pupa edit

The pale yellowish-brown pupa are spun in a silken cocoon, on the ground amongst leaf litter.[4]

Distribution edit

This moth is found all over Europe from Ireland to Russia.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Epinotia abbreviana (Fabricius, 1794)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ Kimber, Ian. "49.234 BF1150 Epinotia abbreviana (Fabricius, 1794)". UKmoths. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b Bradley, J D; Tremewan, W G; Smith, Arthur (1979). British Tortricoid Moths. Tortricidae: Olethreutinae. London: Ray Society. pp. 125–6. ISBN 0 903874 06 7.