Green Oak Tortrix vs Cistus Forester

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Green Oak Tortrix Cistus Forester
Scientific Name Tortrix viridana Adscita statices
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tortricidae Zygaenidae
Size 20-24 mm wingspan 24-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia, North Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Green Oak Tortrix

A small bright green moth with pale hindwings that is the most important oak defoliator in Europe. Outbreak years can turn whole oak canopies brown by June.

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Did You Know?

Defoliation by this moth has shaped oak woodland ecology for thousands of years.

Cistus Forester

A small, metallic green day-flying moth found on chalk grassland and damp meadows. Males have feathery antennae. Larvae feed on common sorrel and sheep's sorrel.

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Did You Know?

The metallic green wings glow brilliantly in sunshine, making this one of the most jewel-like of all European moths.