49.3473 Grapholita delineana (Hemp Tortrix)
ws: 10-14mm (Suffolk Moths); cannabis (Cannabis sativa), hop (Humulus lupulus). New to Britain in July 2024, Lowestoft, Suffolk. Found at the same site and in Norfolk in 2025 and in Essex in 2026
Grapholita delineana §1 female (image by Dan Blyton)
ID: The forewing markings are very similar to G.compositella, but G.delineana is larger with little if any size overlap according to the quoted ranges. G.compositella is a day-flyer that rarely comes to light, while G.delineana is nocturnal and most (if not all) British examples have been found at light. The 4 pale dorsal bars are less contrasting in G.delineana partly because they are overlaid with ground colour and partly because the ground colour is a shade paler than in G.compositella in which the dorsal bars are clear white and the ground colour blackish-brown.
Male genitalia:
Female genitalia: The ventral plate of A8 has a central band of sclerotisation and a pair of isolated sclerotised patches on the anterior margin; in G.compositella the central band is broader and the isolated patches absent. One signum is very broad and much broader than the other; in G.compositella the signa are of similar size and not exceptionally broad.
Male genitalia:
Female genitalia: The ventral plate of A8 has a central band of sclerotisation and a pair of isolated sclerotised patches on the anterior margin; in G.compositella the central band is broader and the isolated patches absent. One signum is very broad and much broader than the other; in G.compositella the signa are of similar size and not exceptionally broad.
§1 Earls Colne, Essex; 25/06/2026; female; fw 5.7mm; to light; FIRST FOR ESSEX: specimen provided by Dan Blyton
All images © Chris Lewis
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 29/08/2026 (§1)
