Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Yponomeutidae Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Argyresthia | |
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Argyresthia laricella, the larch shoot moth, is a moth of the family Yponomeutidae. It is found in Canada, including north-western Ontario, Nova Scotia, south-eastern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, western Alberta and southern British Columbia.
The wingspan is 11–12 mm. The forewings are nearly immaculate, very pale shining ochreous. The hindwings are whitish ochreous. Adults are on wing from the end of June to mid-July.
The larvae feed on Larix species (including Larix decidua, Larix kaempferi, Larix laricina and Larix occidentalis) and Picea glauca. Young larvae bore through the terminal twigs of their host plant, effectually killing the twigs and stopping further growth. In fall, they cut a circular exit hole at the base where pupation takes place.