| Green Oak Tortrix Moth (Tortrix viridana (Linnaeus, 1758)) |
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Scientific name: Tortrix viridana (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: Green Oak Tortrix Moth French name: Tordeuse du chêne Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Microlepidoptera Family: Tortricidae Subfamily: Tortricinae Wingspan: 18-23 mm. Biotope: Oak forests. Geographic area: Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor. Flight time: April in the south to June in the northern part of its range. Imagos only live during about one week. Number of generations : 1 Caterpillar: Caterpillars will grow through 5 stages. At the last stages, they are greyish green to pale green with black dots scattered on their body. The head is brownish black to black. They hide inside leaves they have rolled or bent and stuck, eating these leaves. They will drop down at the end of a silk thread when threatened. Host plant: Oaks (Quercus spp.) |
The Green Oak Tortrix Moth is a small size moth. It is a pale green colour. The head, the antennae and the legs are yellowish brown. The hindwings are greyish brown. The caterpillars attack oak's buds and leaves and can lead to total defoliation. Females lay eggs by pairs, usually close to the top of the trees. The Green Oak Tortrix Moth overwinters as an egg. |
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I have only observed one Green Oak Tortrix Moth, down on the ground. I haven't noticed any defoliation in the surroundings, I will pay more attention to this in the next coming years. |
André Bon April 2008