Adult Recognition
FWL: 8.5-11.0 mm (male); 10.5-12.5 mm (female)
Forewing color varies from brown to dark purplish brown, with brown to dark-brown markings and reticulations. The costal margin of the forewing is sinuate, especially in the female. The male forewing costal fold is expressed as a rolling of the costal margin that does not completely extend to the base of the wing.
Adults are unlikely to be confused with other species of Nearctic Tortricidae due to the strongly sinuate costal margin of the forewing.
Larval Morphology
Last instar larvae are 20-30 mm in length. The abdomen is pale bluish green. The head is yellowish brown. The prothoracic shield is yellowish brown, with pair of semirectangular black spots on the posterolateral margin. The thoracic legs are pale and unmarked.
Late instar larvae can be easily confused with those of Clepsis melaleucanus, which are similar in appearance and occur in the same habitat.
Biology
Archips purpurana completes a single generation over most of its range. Adults present in June and July.
Females lay eggs in masses, presumably on the upper surface of leaves. Early instar larvae feed on foliage, occasionally webbing leaves to fruit. Overwintering occurs as a third instar larva, either in fallen leaves on the ground or possibly in the host tree. In the spring, larvae crawl up into any non-coniferous host to complete development. Pupation occurs in the final larval feeding site.
Host plants
Larvae of A. purpurana are highly polyphagous and have been recorded feeding on plants in approximately 20 families. Although larvae have been recorded from economically important species such as apple, it is likely that A. purpurana is a general feeder that utilizes any readily available host.
| Family | Genus/species | Common name |
| Anacardiaceae | Rhus L. | sumac |
| Asteraceae | Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. | eastern daisy |
| Asteraceae | Solidago L. | goldenrod |
| Betulaceae | Betula papyrifera Marshall | paper birch |
| Betulaceae | Betula populifolia Marsh. | gray birch |
| Betulaceae | Betula L. | birch |
| Caprifoliaceae | Viburnum L. | viburnum |
| Cornaceae | Cornus canadensis L. | bunchberry dogwood |
| Crassulaceae | Sedum L. | stonecrop |
| Crassulaceae | Sempervivum tectorum L. | common houseleek |
| Ericaceae | Vaccinium L. | blueberry |
| Fabaceae | Lupinus L. | lupine |
| Fagaceae | Quercus macrocarpa Michx. | bur oak |
| Geraniaceae | Geranium L. | geranium |
| Grossulariaceae | Ribes L. | currant |
| Lauraceae | Sassafras Nees & Eberm. | sassafras |
| Liliaceae | Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link | feathery false lily of the valley |
| Oleaceae | Fraxinus L. | ash |
| Rosaceae | Fragaria L. | strawberry |
| Rosaceae | Malus Mill. | apple |
| Rosaceae | Prunus pensylvanica L. f. | pin cherry |
| Rosaceae | Prunus virginiana L. | chokecherry |
| Rosaceae | Prunus L. | |
| Rosaceae | Rubus plicatus Weihe & Nees | shrubby blackberry |
| Rosaceae | Rubus L. | raspberry |
| Rosaceae | Spiraea L. | meadowsweet |
| Salicaceae | Populus tremuloides Michx. | quaking aspen |
| Salicaceae | Salix L. | willow |
| Solanaceae | Mandragora L. | mandrake |
| Tiliaceae | Tilia americana L. | American basswood |
| Violaceae | Viola L. | violet |
Distribution
Archips purpurana is distributed throughout eastern North America.
References
Chapman, P. J. and S. E. Lienk. 1971. Tortricid fauna of apple in New York (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); including an account of apple's occurrence in the state, especially as a naturalized plant. Spec. Publ. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 122 pp.
Freeman, T. N. 1958. The Archipinae of North America (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The Canadian Entomologist Supplement 7 (Vol. 90): 1-89.
