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Cydia strobilella
Spruce Seed Moth (Linnaeus, 1758)
Tortricidae: Olethreutinae
1254 / 49.335
Photo © Neil Sherman,  Purdis Farm, Ipswich. 02/05/2024

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Similar Species
Dusted Fir Moth
Pammene ochsenheimeriana
Scarce Spruce Bark Moth
Cydia pactolana
Wingspan: 10-15mm
Flight: May
Foodplant:   Norway Spruce
Nat Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
Status
Morley’s Final Catalogue: Local, and with us found mainly on the Breck; in spruce-cones. Santon Downham, Brandon (Wrn), Culford and near Thetford. Shrubland and Staverton, bred in 1932-4 (Whit.).

Recent Status: Rare as a breeding species but also arrives as an immigrant.

Life Style: A single brooded species that flies by day and night and comes to light during April and May. The larvae feed on the seeds of Picea abies and P. omorika. The larvae overwinter in the cone where they pupate in the spring.

Identification: This is one of our smallest of Cydia species. The forewings are dark fuscous. The terminal third and to a lesser extent central third have scales tipped with ochre. There are 8 or more white or cream strigulae on the costa that subtend plumbeous striae towards the dorsum. The first two form a prominent double fascia reaching the dorsum and angled centrally. This character distinguishes this species from the otherwise similar C. conicolana. The third and fourth are obliquely angled towards the fifth which skirts the ocellar area before reaching the dorsum. The ocellar area is not distinctly different and may show small black spots. The dark hindwings have prominent white cilia. https://mothdissection.co.uk/species.php?Tx=Cydia_strobilella

Recorded in 8 (14%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1932.
Last Recorded in 2025.
Additional Stats

Latest 10 Records
Date#VC10kArea
25/01/2025126TL78Brandon/Lakenheath
02/05/2024125TM24Woodbridge/Martlesham
10/05/2021125TM24Woodbridge/Martlesham
22/04/2019125TM34Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
22/04/2019125TM15Helmingham/Claydon
10/05/2016125TM23Felixstowe/Landguard Point
10/05/2016225TM58Carlton Colville/Kessingland
10/05/2016+25TM34Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
09/05/2016+25TM34Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
07/05/2016125TM23Felixstowe/Landguard Point
Further info: Cydia strobilella
 
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