Family Tortricidae

RECOGNITION

Distinguishing characters. This larva is also found in cotton bolls and it is often pink in color. It is easily mistaken to be a half grown pink bollworm.  However, it can be distinguished from the pink bollworm by the following features. This is the only larva found in cotton bolls with an anal fork and a "saddle" composed of fused sclerotized plates on abdominal segment 9. In addition, the anterior puncture is behind anterior seta 2. The adfrontal puncture is closer to seta 1 than seta 2. The three setae on the prespiracular plate of the prothorax are arranged in a row, rather than a triangle. There are no light patches on the prothoracic shield (dorsal sclerite) like there are on the pink bollworm. Seta 1 of abdominal segment 9 is closer to seta 3 than seta 2. Seta 3 of abdominal segment 8 is directly in front of the spiracle, not above it.

ECOLOGY

Feeding habits. This caterpillar has been known to feed on cotton.