Friday 8 May 2015

Pine Bud Moth.

A week or so back I collected a few stunted shoots from the sapling Scots Pines on Stoke Common (Bucks), leaving them in a clear plastic bag. I discovered this sad specimen inside the bag two days ago. I must have found it too late: The moth's wings have hardened in this deformed state, probably because it was stuck in a corner of the bag.
 

Enough of the wing pattern is visible to suggest Pseudococcyx turionella, but this is a variable moth and I'm more confident of the ID due to the orange 'face'.
The caterpillar and pupa live inside the pine bud and it puzzles me how the adult gets out without being bunged-up with the resin that's all over the buds.
Andy King.

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