Cottonwood Twig Borer Moth
Common NameCottonwood Twig Borer Moth
Scientific NameGypsonoma haimbachiana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyOlethreutinae
Wingspan (mm)12
Primary Colorswhite, dark brown, black, grey
HabitatRiparian zones, woodlands, and areas where cottonwood and willow trees are present.
Geographic RangeEastern and Central North America
Host PlantsPopulus spp. (cottonwood, aspen), Salix spp. (willow)
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are twig borers, feeding inside the twigs of cottonwood and willow trees, sometimes causing galls. Pupation occurs within the twig or in the soil, with multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, the distinctive cryptic mottling of white, dark brown, and black on the forewings, and its strong association with cottonwood and willow host plants.
Description
This small moth has forewings cryptically patterned with mottled white, dark brown, and black scales, often with a prominent dark patch on the costa, allowing it to blend with bark or lichen.
