Choreutis nemorana

Choreutis nemorana, the fig-tree skeletonizer moth or fig leaf roller, is a species of moth of the family Choreutidae.^[1] It was first described by the German entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1799.^[2] They are found in Asia, Europe and North Africa.

Choreutis nemorana
Dorsal view
Ventral view
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Choreutidae
Genus:	Choreutis
Species:	C. nemorana
Binomial name
Choreutis nemorana (Hübner, [1799])
Synonyms
List Tortrix nemorana Hübner, [1799] Asopia incisalis Treitschke, 1829 Simaethis nemorana Choreutis incisalis Xylopoda nemorana Hemerophila nemorana Allononyma nemorana Anthophila nemorana

Description

Choreutis nemorana has a wingspan of 16–20 mm. The basic color of the forewings varies from reddish brown to ocher brown, with whitish markings. The hindwings are brownish, with two pale brown dots on the edge. Adults overwinter and appear in early spring. Adults of the summer generation emerge in July. The second generation emerges in autumn and hibernate.

The larvae feed within a spiining on the upperside of fig leaves (Ficus carica) and pupate in a tough white cocoon in a leaf-edge fold.^[3][4]

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  Choreutis nemorana
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  The underside of the hind wings
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  Mounted adult
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  Larva under webbing
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  Larva exiting web shelter

Distribution

This species is widespread from the Canary Islands and Madeira, through the Mediterranean Region and North Africa to Asia.^[5]

In 2009, it was first recorded in Belgium, established colonies in the east and is expected to spread to the west.^[6] It was first seen in the United Kingdom in 2014 and has since spread to East Anglia, the Isle of Wight and Kent.^[7][4]

Treatment

The eggs can be removed by hand or can be controlled using pyrethrin-based pesticides.

Taxonomy

The genus Choreutis was raised by the German entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1825 and the name refers to dancers; the chorus in a Greek drama being singers as well as dancers. The moths fly by day and when they land on a flower they make quick, jerky movements.^[8]

See also

• Choreutis pariana, the apple-and-thorn skeletonizer or apple leaf skeletonizer