Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
Two species of moths are known to kill shoots of larch (Larix) by mining them: Argyresthia laricella Kearfott in Canada and A. laevigatella Herrick-Schäffer in Europe. The biology and economic status of these insects are compared by Eidt and Sippell (1961).
Opinions differ as to whether the Argyresthia on larch in Europe are one, two, or three species (Edwards, 1911; Grosvenor, 1911; Adkin, 1918). Beirne (1942) believes that only one species is involved but Kratochvil (1943), who did not know of Beirne's work, recognized two species. A. atmoriella Bankes in England and Silesia; A. laevigatella in central Europe. I have referred to all European material as A. laevigatella.