Spotted Shoot Moth
Common NameSpotted Shoot Moth
Scientific NameRhyacionia pinicolana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyOlethreutinae
Wingspan (mm)19
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, cream, reddish-brown
HabitatConiferous woodlands, especially Scots Pine forests
Geographic RangeEurope, Russia, China, Korea, Japan
Host PlantsPinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae bore into the shoots of Scots Pine and Black Pine, feeding internally. Pupation occurs within the damaged shoots.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its reddish-brown ground color with distinct whitish, mottled markings on the forewings. Often found in association with its pine host plants.
Description
A small moth with mottled reddish-brown and whitish-grey forewings, providing excellent camouflage against pine bark. It has a somewhat blunt head and rests with its wings folded tent-like over its body.
