Diamond-back Marble
Common NameDiamond-back Marble
Scientific NameOlethreutes arcuella
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyOlethreutinae
Wingspan (mm)19
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, black, cream, reddish-brown
HabitatWoodlands, forests, hedgerows, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, Asia, North Africa
Host Plantsoak, birch, willow, hazel, hawthorn
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees and shrubs, often spinning leaves together. Pupation occurs in a cocoon.
Identification TipsLook for the characteristic mottled brown and black forewings with pale markings, especially the prominent raised scale tufts on the dorsum which give it its 'diamond-back' appearance.
Description
A small moth with a mottled, cryptic pattern of dark brown, reddish-brown, black, and cream patches on its forewings, featuring distinctive raised scale tufts on its dorsum.
