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] | |
The Larch Shoot Moth (Argyresthia laricella) is a moth of the Yponomeutidae family. It is found in North America, 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.