Enarmonia formosana

Description

Enarmonia formosana, the cherrybark tortrix or cherry-bark moth, is a small but colorful moth species of the family Tortricidae. It is native to all of northern and western Europe, ranging south to the Maghreb. North of the Alps its range extends eastwards to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Possibly and most likely introduced populations are found in Asia Minor and North America, respectively. It is the type species of its genus (Enarmonia), and by extension of the tribe Enarmoniini of subfamily Olethreutinae. The wingspan is 15–19 mm. The adult moths fly from May to October in the temperate parts of the range (e.g. Belgium and the Netherlands). The caterpillars feed on the bark of woody Rosaceae of subfamily Amygdaloideae, namely hawthorns (Crataegus), apples (Malus), cherries (Prunus) and pears (Pyrus). In particular, they have been noted to forage at canker lesions. They prefer mature trees. The larvae produce a reddish frass at the entrance to their tunnel. Signs of larval feeding can be seen at cracks in the bark, or at joints with branches. The larva pupates at the entrance to its tunnel, often enclosed by frass secured with silk.