Cydia interscindana

On the night of 19th June the garden trap run by Robin Knill-Jones in Denham, Bucks produced this early and very small example of the smart tortrix Cydia interscindana.  The species is a relatively recent arrival from Europe and was first recorded in Putney, London during September 2016, with Robin having the first for Bucks back in August 2019.  In Europe the moth is known to use Western Prickly Juniper Juniperus oxycedrus as its food-plant but this is apparently rarely imported into the UK.  The www.lepiforum.de site suggests that other Juniper species may be used too, including Juniperus communis which, of course, is found across the Chilterns.   

Cydia interscindana, Denham 19th June

Update:  Robin sends a reminder that this species is known to come to the pheromone lure for Cydia pomonella, available from ALS or even quite a few garden centres.  He suggests putting the lure out at night with your light trap to try and attract the moth which at the moment seems to be limited in range locally to the London area and Thames Valley.