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CAPS Non-target - Adult

Amorbia emigratella Busck (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Sparganothini)

Common names: Mexican leafroller

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 2: Male

Fig. 2: Male

Fig. 3: Female

Fig. 3: Female

Fig. 4: Female

Fig. 4: Female

Fig. 5: Male genitalia

Fig. 5: Male genitalia

Fig. 6: Female genitalia

Fig. 6: Female genitalia

Fig. 7: Late instar larva

Fig. 7: Late instar larva

Adult Recognition

FWL: 8.0-11.0 mm (M); 11.5-12.0 mm (F)

Adults are pale yellow to brown and may be variably mottled with dark brown. Most individuals have a well defined costal spot that is a remnant of the median fascia. Abdominal segments 2-6 have a median dorsal pit and ocelli are absent. Males lack a forewing costal fold.

Few other North American tortricids are similar in size or appearance to Amorbia, and this is one of the few tortricid genera in which the adults lack ocelli. The two Amorbia species treated here can be separated by the number of dorsal pits on the abdomen: dorsal pits on segments 2-6 for A. emigratella versus a single dorsal pit on segment 2 for Amorbia cuneana.

Larval Morphology

Last instar larvae are yellowish green and may have dark lateral lines. The prothoracic shield and head is tan to brown with dark-brown to black lateral bands.

Late instar Amorbia larvae can be distinguished from most other tortricids by the dark-brown to black lateral bands on the head and prothoracic shield. These characters can be used to separate late instar larvae of A. emigratella and Epiphyas postvittana from Hawaii, as both occur on similar host plants. Early instars lack the distinctive dark bands, and morphological identification of early instar larvae may be difficult or impossible.

For more information on Amorbia larvae, please consult the fact sheet and keys on LepIntercept - An identification resource for intercepted Lepidoptera larvae.

Biology

Eggs are laid in masses of 65-120 eggs on the upper surface of leaves. Females cover the egg mass with a whitish coating. Larvae feed within a shelter constructed of webbed leaves or leaves webbed to fruit; they may also feed within flower heads or buds. Larvae complete 4-5 instars and pupation occurs in the larval shelter. Adults eclose in approximately 10 days.

Host plants

Amorbia emigratella has been recorded from plants in more than 25 families, many of which include economically important crops.

Family Genus/species Common name
Apiaceae Daucus carota L. Queen Anne's lace
Apocynaceae Nerium oleander L. oleander
Araliaceae Schefflera actinophylla (Endl.) Harms octopus tree
Asteraceae Parthenium hysterophorus L. Santa Maria feverfew
Brassicaceae Brassica oleracea L. cabbage
Cannabaceae Cannabis sativa L. marijuana
Caricaceae Carica papaya L. papaya
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. sweetpotato
Euphorbiaceae Jatropha gossypifolia L. bellyache bush
Fabaceae Acacia koaia Hillebr. koaoha
Fabaceae Arachis hypogaea L. peanut
Fabaceae Chamaecrista nictitans (L.) Moench sensitive partridge pea
Fabaceae Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. quickstick
Fabaceae Phaseolus L. bean
Fabaceae Sophora L. necklacepod
Fabaceae Ulex europaeus L. common gorse
Lauraceae Persea americana Mill. avocado
Malvaceae Gossypium hirsutum L. var. hirsutum upland cotton
Malvaceae Gossypium L. cotton
Myrtaceae Psidium guajava L. guava
Orchidaceae [unspecified]
Orchidaceae Phaius Lour. nun's-hood orchid
Passifloraceae Passiflora L. passionflower
Poaceae Zea mays L. corn
Proteaceae Macadamia F. Muell. macadamia
Rosaceae Rosa L. rose
Rosaceae Rubus hawaiensis A. Gray Hawaii blackberry
Rosaceae Rubus L. blackberry
Rubiaceae Gardenia Ellis gardenia
Ruscaceae Dracaena L. dracaena
Rutaceae Citrus X sinensis (L.) Osbeck (pro sp.) [maxima X reticulata] sweet orange
Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. Florida hopbush
Solanaceae Solanum lycopersicum L. var. lycopersicum garden tomato
Solanaceae Solanum melongena L. eggplant
Solanaceae Solanum tuberosum L. Irish potato
Stericulaceae Theobroma cacao L. cacao
Thymelaeaceae Wikstroemia foetida var. oahuensis Gray
Urticaceae Pipturus Weddell pipturus
Verbenaceae Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson bushy lippia

Distribution

Amorbia emigratella is distributed across the southern United States and Central America. It has been introduced to all major Hawaiian islands except Lanai.

References

Fullaway, D. T. and N. L. H. Krauss. 1945. 193. Amorbia emigratella Busck, pp. 122-123. In Common Insects of Hawaii. Tongg Publishing Company, Honolulu. 228 pp.

Phillips-Rodriguez, E. and J. A. Powell. 2007. Phylogenetic relationships, systematics, and biology of the species of Amorbia Clemens (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Sparganothini). Zootaxa. 1670. 109 pp.

Zimmerman, E. C. 1978. Insects of Hawaii, Volume 9, Microlepidoptera, Part 1. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 881 pp.

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance by Todd M. Gilligan and Marc E. Epstein
Interactive Keys developed in Lucid 3.5. Last updated August 2014.