Variegated Golden Tortrix

Archips xylosteana is a medium-sized to large moth with a wingspan reaching 14–23 millimetres (0.55–0.91 in). The females are usually slightly larger than the males. The basic color of the fore wings varies from yellow-brown or ocher to pinkish brown, mottled with dark reddish brown markings. Forewings are broad and roughly rectangular. Hind wings are light grayish brown. The design of the wings may appear lightly asymmetric, because at rest one of the wing covers the other and hides part of it. The caterpillar varies from whitish gray to bluish with greenish reflections and have a black head. Meyrick describes it - Forewings with termen sinuate, vertical, costal fold from base to 3/5, irregular; ochreous more or less fuscous-tinged, paler towards costa; a transverse dorsal spot near base, central fascia with anterior edge sinuate, costal patch broadly connected with it near costa, a blotch from above tornus sometimes connected with costal patch, and an apical spot dark ferruginous-brown. Hindwings grey, apex sometimes yellowish-tinged. Larva whitish-grey or pale greenish; head black;plate of 2 black, anterior edge white. Julius von Kennel provides a full description.

This Palearctic moth is widespread in most of Europe, in Asia (China, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Siberia, Turkey), and in northern Africa (Algeria).