Exoteleia dodecella

Exoteleia dodecella, the pine bud moth, is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is widely distributed from western Europe to Siberia. It is an introduced species in North America.[2]

The wingspan is 9–15 mm.[3] The head is grey, face whitish.Terminal joint of palpi as long as second. Forewings are whitish, densely irrorated with dark fuscous, appearing grey ; indistinct broad darker fasciae at 1/3 and 2/3 a black basal dot, and a dash beneath costa at 1/4 ; two black dots transversely placed in disc at 1/4 ; stigmata black, first discal above plical, another black dot below second discal ; a fine indistinct whitish interrupted fascia at 3/4 : on undersurface a longitudinal patch of thinly set erect scales in disc. Hindwings 1, grey.The larva is brownish-flesh colour ; dots black ; head black-brown.[4]

Adults are on wing from June to July.[5]

The larvae feed on Larix europaeus, Pinus mugo and Pinus sylvestris. Young larvae mine the needles of their host plant. [6] Mining larvae can be found from September to March.