Red Piercer

Lathronympha strigana

To protect itself from predators, the tiny caterpillar spins a silk web that binds the top leaves of its host plant into a secure, tent-like shelter.

Scientific name: Lathronympha strigana
Taxonomy: Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Tortricidae › Lathronympha
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Population trend: stable
Biome: forest
Habitat: Sunny forest edges, woodland clearings, meadows, and roadsides where host plants grow.
Diet: Larvae feed on St. John's wort (Hypericum) leaves, flowers, and seeds; adults drink nectar.
Range: Europe, Asia Minor, Caucasus, Siberia
Size: Wingspan of 8 to 11 mm
Lifespan: 1 year (with adults living only 2 to 3 weeks)
Active: diurnal
Threats: Loss of woodland edge habitats, intensive mowing of meadows, and herbicide use.
Safe to approach?: Completely harmless. This micro-moth cannot bite, sting, or cause allergies. You can safely observe it from inches away as it rests on foliage. If it lands on your skin, simply enjoy the moment or gently nudge it to fly away.

Lathronympha strigana is a moth of the Tortricidae family.

Photo: Donald Hobern, CC-BY, via iNaturalist