49.062 BF1036

Acleris forsskaleana

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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This yellowish species has a distinctive reticulated pattern on the forewing, and a variably sized greyish suffusion across the centre.

Relatively common in certain parts of Britain, the main foodplants are field maple (Acer campestre) and sycamore (A. pseudoplatanus). The larva (September to June) can also be abundant on Norway maple (Acer platanoides), including the purple cultivar (pers. obs. I.F. Smith). It has a translucent yellowish white abdomen, which reveals the greenish viscera. It can be confused with some other Tortricid larvae, but identification is aided by its habitation of a longitudinally folded, almost rolled, leaf as the larva reaches full size in May and June. Larvae collected then are easily and quickly reared for confirmation.

Frequenting woodland and gardens etc, the flight period is dusk onwards during July and August.