Vine moth

The adults have a wingspan of 12-15 mm and whitish ochreous forewings marked with yellowish ochre and a dark, brownish to black band across the middle of the forewings. The hindwings are grey. The eggs are 0.8 x 0.6 mm and greyish brown when laid. Later they become speckled with orange. The larvae are up to 12 mm long; body pinkish brown or yellowish brown to olive green and a brown or black head. The pupae are 5-8 mm long and reddish brown.

In central Europe, there are usually two generations per year and in southern Europe there are three. Adults appear from mid April to May. The eggs are laid on unopened flower buds and hatch after 1-2 weeks. The larvae start feeding and spin several buds together as shelters. These shelters become larger and more dense as larval development progresses. Larval development takes 3-4 weeks. The larvae then pupate in their shelters or in folded leaves. Adults of the nest generations appear after about 10 days. The larvae of the last generation overwinter in cocoons hidden in or beneath bark of older vine stems or in cracks of posts.