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Gooseberry moth, Gooseberry fruitworm

Description, Biology, Life Cycle, Damage, Common Names, Images

[R]Biology
- Host plants: currant, black currant, gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa).
- Adult: the imaginal moult occurs at the surface of the ground. The moth has a noctural activity. The female lays its eggs singly or in small clusters on the calyx of flowers (*) or on young berries.
- Egg: embryonic development lasts 10 to 15 days.
- Larva: its growth lasts about two months. The neonate caterpillar penetrates a berry and devours its contents, then, by weaving silk threads which unite several neighbouring berries, it penetrates a second and a third berry, sometimes a fourth (*) .
- Pupa: the larva pupates in the ground, inside a cocoon.

[R]Life Cycle
- 1 generation per year.
- The moth appears from the end of April to mid-May, at the time of the flowering of Ribes. In July, at the end of its development, the larva descends into the ground, weaves a cocoon, pupates in September and hibernates.

[R]Damage
- The berries of attacked Ribes change colour; they take on a pink hue which can become more or less dark reddish for the largest of them. This colour is mistaken for maturity amongst the other berries which have remained green.
- One fruit is generally sufficient for the growth of the caterpillar (*) .
- The damaged fruit clusters are downgraded at harvest time, the fruits being soiled by silken threads and grains of frass (*) .

[R]Remark/A>
This species can be found in various European countries. Introduced to the United-States, it is unknown in England.

[R] Images

1. Zophodia convolutella (Hübner) Moth on a currant leaf (Coutin R. / OPIE)
   
2. Zophodia convolutella (Hübner) Eggs Laid on a black currant flower calyx.
   
3. Zophodia convolutella (Hübner) Larva on currant bush (Coutin R. / OPIE)
   
4. Zophodia convolutella (Hübner) Larvae on gooseberries (Coutin R. / OPIE)
   
5. Zophodia convolutella (Hübner) Dégâts sur Groseillier (Coutin R. / OPIE)