Spruce Seed Moth
Cydia strobilella
This record describes Cydia strobilella (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 10 to15 mm. This is a quite well-marked species. The adults are found during May, flying in the afternoon in their chosen habitat (around Spruce), but they also come to light. The larvae feed in the cones of Norway Spruce (Picea abies), feeding on the seeds themselves. Locally distributed in the southern half of England, and in parts of Scotland and Wales, but scarce in between. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Tortricidae
- Genus
- Cydia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where Spruce is present.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are found during May, flying in the afternoon in their chosen habitat (around Spruce), but they also come to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed in the cones of Norway Spruce (Picea abies), feeding on the seeds themselves.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Locally distributed in the southern half of England, and in parts of Scotland and Wales, but scarce in between. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cydia strobilella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spruce Seed Moth
What is Spruce Seed Moth?
Spruce Seed Moth (Cydia strobilella) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Spruce Seed Moth found?
Habitat: Areas where Spruce is present.
When is Spruce Seed Moth active?
Spruce Seed Moth: seasonal activity - The adults are found during May, flying in the afternoon in their chosen habitat (around Spruce), but they also come to light..
What is the life cycle of a Spruce Seed Moth?
The larvae feed in the cones of Norway Spruce (Picea abies), feeding on the seeds themselves.