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Epinotia tedella

European spruce budmoth

Description

A small moth with a wingspan of approx. 13 mm. An attractively-marked species with noticeably pale labial palps. The females lay single eggs on spruce needles. The larvae are yellowish brown with a pair of russet dorsal lines, or greenish with brighter or darker dorsal stripes. They mine inside the needles, spinning them with fine silk in which frass accumulates. In autumn they enter diapause, overwintering buried in ground litter. The damage begins in the inner part of the canopy and extends to the outer sections, making the pest attack difficult to detect. Infected trees have slow growth rate and lost vitality. E. pygmaeana or E. nanana may attack trees with a similar effect.

Symptom

The damage begins in the inner part of the canopy and extends to the outer sections, making the pest attack difficult to detect.

Tree Species: Spruce

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes