Spilonota laricana (Heinemann, 1863)
larch-bud moth

Larix spec., USA © Gyorgy Csóka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.com
mine
In late summer the larve spins a few needles together, and mines them out. The larva hibernates between some mined needles that haven been spun together. After hibernation the larve bores into a developing bud, eventually pupating there.
host plants
Pinaceae, monophagous (?)
Larix decidua, kaempferi.
Also reported from Picea sitchensis.
phenology
Mining larvae in autumn.
BENELUX
BE recorded (Phegea, 2010).
NE recorded (Kuchlein & de Vos, 1999a; Microlepidoptera.nl, 2010).
LUX recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2010).
distribution within Europe
From Fennoscandia to the Pyrenees, Italy, and Romania, and from Ireland to East and South Russia (Fauna Europaea, 2010).
pupa
See Patočka &Turčáni (2005a).
synonyms
Spilonota ocellana f. laricana.
references
Bradley, Tremewan & Smith (1979a), Freeman (1967a), Hancock & Bland (2015b), Kuchlein & Donner (1983a), Kuchlein & de Vos (1999a), De Prins & Steeman (2013a), Robbins (1991a), Swatschek (1958a).