Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) ➔ Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) ➔ Class Insecta (Insects) ➔ Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and moths) ➔ Family Tortricidae (Leafroller moths)
Tortrix viridana Linnaeus, 1758
Eichenwickler Green Oak Tortrix
Synonyms and other combinations:
Phalaena (Tortrix) viridana Linnaeus, 1758 [original combination] | Tortrix suttneriana Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 |
Further vernacular names:
European Oak Leafroller, Green Oak MothClassification:
Tortrix viridana belongs to the subfamily Tortricinae, tribe Tortricini.Distribution:
Europe, AsiaHabitat:
Deciduous forests, parks with oak trees.Description:
The Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana has a wing span of 16 - 24 mm. The forewings are pale green and the hind wings brown gray. The wings have whitish fringes on the edge.Due to its color the Green Oak Tortrix can only be confused with the Cream-bordered Green Pea Earias clorana.
Biology:
The crepuscular and nocturnal active moths fly from May and are preferably found in the area of the treetops. A female of the Green Oak Tortrix lays a total of about 50 - 60 eggs. The eggs are glued in pairs, usually deposited on branches in the upper part of the treetops. After overwintering of the eggs, the young caterpillars hatch in the spring. They first eat freshly opened buds and young leaves. In later larval stages, leaves of the host plant are rolled up and spun. The caterpillars inhabit the leaf rolls and eat them from the inside. Later, the adult caterpillars pupate in a leaf wrap.Annotation:
In case of massive infestation Tortrix viridana can cause complete defoliation on oaks.References, further reading, links:
- Aethes sanguinana
- Aethes sp.
- Aphelia sp.
- Clepsis coriacanus
- Dichrorampha sp.
- Gypsonoma sociana/dealbana
- Tortricidae sp.
- Arched Marble
- Aspen Roller
- Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix
- Birch Marble
- Bramble Shoot Moth
- Brassy Tortrix
- Brindled Tortrix
- Brown Oak Tortrix
- Brown-barred Tortrix
- Buckthorn Roller
- Coast Spurge Bell
- Cock's-head Bell
- Colt’s-foot Bell
- Common Birch Bell
- Common Marble
- Common Roller
- Common Tortrix
- Dark-barred Tortrix
- Green Oak Tortrix
- Hoary Bell
- Hook-marked Straw Moth
- Large Fruit-tree Tortrix
- Maple Button
- Marbled Orchard Tortrix
- May Shade
- Notch-wing Button
- Nut Bud Moth
- Orange-spot Piercer
- Red Piercer
- Red Roller
- Rose Tortrix
- Shoulder-spot Marble
- Small Birch Bell
- Spruce Seed Moth
- Summer Fruit Tortrix
- Triple-stripe Piercer
- Vagrant Piercer
- Variable Bell
- Variegated Golden Tortrix
- Vetch Piercer
- White-faced Tortrix
- White-shouldered Marble
- Winter Shade
- Woodland Marble
- Yellow Oak Button
- Yellow-spot Tortrix