Exoteleia dodecella

Distinguished from similar gelechiids by combination of: small size (9–15 mm wingspan), grey forewings with dense dark irroration creating overall grey appearance, two transverse black dots in disc at 1/4, and characteristic black stigmata arrangement with first discal above plical. Undersurface forewing with longitudinal patch of erect scales in disc is a key diagnostic feature. Larval mining in conifer needles from autumn through spring provides additional identification context.

Native range extends from western Europe to Siberia. Introduced and established in North America. Specific North American distribution details not fully documented in available sources. Presence confirmed in Belgium with records from multiple provinces and regions.

Adults on wing from June to July. Larval mining activity occurs from September to March.

Larvae feed on Larix europaea (European larch), Pinus mugo (mountain pine), and Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine). Feeding occurs within needles as miners.

• Larix europaea - larval hostneedles mined by larvae
• Pinus mugo - larval hostneedles mined by larvae
• Pinus sylvestris - larval hostneedles mined by larvae

Young larvae mine needles of host plants. Mining larvae present from September to March. Pupation details not specified in available sources. Adult emergence in June to July.

Larvae are needle miners, feeding internally within conifer needles. This mining behavior occurs primarily during autumn, winter, and early spring months.

Introduced species in North America; potential pest status on pine and larch species not documented in available sources.

• Other Exoteleia speciesGenus-level similarity in size and general morphology; distinguished by specific wing pattern details including stigmata arrangement and presence of erect scale patch on forewing undersurface
• Other Gelechiidae on conifersShared habitat and host use; distinguished by unique combination of wing pattern elements and larval mining phenology (September–March)

• conifer pest
• needle miner
• introduced species
• Palearctic native

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• History, Distribution, and Identification ofExoteleia dodecella(L.) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in North America, with Insights into the Systematics ofExoteleiaWallengren using Characters of the Adult, Immatures, Bionomics, and DNA Barcodes