Forest Twist
Common NameForest Twist
Scientific NameAcleris notana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyTortricinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, dark brown
HabitatWoodlands, forests, hedgerows, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, Asia, North America (introduced)
Host Plantsbirch, willow, alder, oak, hazel
Flight PeriodMay to July, August to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are polyphagous leaf-rollers, feeding within spun leaves of various deciduous trees and shrubs. Pupation occurs within the spun leaf, and the species typically has two generations per year.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its specific cryptic pattern of dark brown blotches and bands on a lighter brown ground color, often with a reddish hue. It can be differentiated from similar *Acleris* species by these subtle pattern details.
Description
A small moth with forewings exhibiting a variegated, mottled pattern of light and dark brown, often with reddish or greyish tints, providing excellent camouflage. The head and thorax are concolorous with the forewings.
