About Epinotia radicana (Heinrich, 1923)
Epinotia radicana, commonly known as the red-striped needleworm moth, is a moth species belonging to the family Tortricidae. This species is found in western Canada, specifically in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Adults of this species have a wingspan ranging from 12 to 15 mm. The red-striped needleworm moth is commonly found in the spruce-fir forests of North America, and there are no recorded serious population outbreaks of this moth. White spruce is the preferred host tree of Epinotia radicana. The species' eggs overwinter on tree needles, and larvae feed on new foliage from late May to late July. When larvae reach their full-grown size of approximately 9 mm, they drop to the ground and pupate inside silken cocoons in forest litter. Adults emerge in late summer and fall, after which females lay their eggs singly at the base of tree needles. Larvae of this species have been recorded living and feeding on a wide range of host plants: Abies balsamea, Abies concolor, Abies grandis, Abies lasiocarpa, Abies magnifica, Juniperus, Larix laricina, Larix lyallii, Larix occidentalis, Picea engelmanni, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Picea pungens, Picea rubens, Picea sitchensis, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Thuja plicata and Tsuga heterophylla.
