Description

Adult

Wingspan of 12-18 mm. Forewings are pale grey to grey. The posterior part of the forewing is marked with a darkbrown to black subtriangular patch that surrounds a purplish ocellus. Hindwings are dark greyish-brown.

Larvae

Late instars reach 13-18 mm in length. Abdomen stout, white or pinky-white with first thoracic segment often marked with brown. Head pale brown without characteristic dark mottling. Most prolegs with 19 or fewer crochets. Anal comb absent

Eggs

Laid singly on young fruit or leaves near fruit.

Distribution

Europe.

Economic Host(s)

Members of the tree family Fagaceae, including chestnut (Castanea), beech (Fagus), oak (Quercus) and also walnut (Juglans)

Symptoms/Signs

Larvae bore into fruits to feed on seeds. Larval infested fruit drop to the ground early.

Generations:

1