Argyresthia laricella
| Argyresthia laricella | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Yponomeutidae |
| Genus: | Argyresthia |
| Species: | A. laricella |
| Binomial name | |
| Argyresthia laricella Kearfott, 1908[1] | |
Argyresthia laricella, the larch shoot moth, is a moth of the family Yponomeutidae. It is found in Canada, including north-western Ontario, Nova Scotia, south-eastern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, western Alberta and southern British Columbia.
The wingspan is 11–12 mm. The forewings are nearly immaculate, very pale shining ochreous. The hindwings are whitish ochreous.[2] Adults are on wing from the end of June to mid-July.
The larvae feed on Larix species (including Larix decidua, Larix kaempferi, Larix laricina and Larix occidentalis) and Picea glauca.[3] Young larvae bore through the terminal twigs of their host plant, effectually killing the twigs and stopping further growth. In fall, they cut a circular exit hole at the base where pupation takes place.