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CAPS Non-target - Adult

Archips argyrospila (Walker) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Common names: fruit-tree leaf roller, apple leaf roller

Synonyms: furvana (Tortrix), vsignatana (Tortrix)

Subspecies: A. argyrospila columbiana (British Columbia), A. argyrospila vividana (Colorado)

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 2: Male

Fig. 2: Male

Fig. 3: Male

Fig. 3: Male

Fig. 4: Female

Fig. 4: Female

Fig. 5: Male genitalia

Fig. 5: Male genitalia

Fig. 6: Female genitalia

Fig. 6: Female genitalia

Fig. 7: Egg masses

Fig. 7: Egg masses

Fig. 8: Larva

Fig. 8: Larva

Fig. 9: Pupa

Fig. 9: Pupa

Fig. 10: Resting adult

Fig. 10: Resting adult

Fig. 11: Larva

Fig. 11: Larva

Fig. 12: Larval head

Fig. 12: Larval head

Adult Recognition

Adult FWL: 6.0-10.2 mm (male); 8.5-11.7 mm (female)

Forewing color is a variable combination of reddish brown, dark brown, and tan. The majority of individuals have two contrasting triangular to semi-rectangular pale-tan patches on the costa. Females are generally lighter in color than males. Males have a forewing costal fold.

The names associated with A. argyrospila are considered a species complex by some authors. This group includes A. eleagnanus, A. mortuana, A. myricana, and two subspecies (A. a. columbiana and A. a. vividana). According to Freeman (1958), genitalic characters for the group include: an aedeagus with hooked apex and two long cornuti in the male and a bulbous sterigma and antrum in the female.

Larval Morphology

Last instar larvae are 15-24 mm in length with a translucent green or gray abdomen. The head is reddish brown to dark brown and may be mottled in some individuals; head markings are too variable to be diagnostic. The prothoracic shield is amber with brown lateral shading. Prothoracic legs are brown or black while the other thoracic legs are pale and unmarked.

Late instar A. argyrospila larvae may be confused with larvae of Choristoneura rosaceana and other Archips species.

Biology

Archips argyrospila completes a single generation per year. Adults are present from mid-May through July.

Eggs are laid in masses on the twigs of the host and covered by the female with a substance that hardens to create a smooth, hard surface. Eggs are laid in June and July and do not hatch until the following year. First instar larvae hatch in late Februrary to mid-May and bore into buds. Later instars roll or tie leaves together or to fruit and partially emerge from the shelter to feed. Larvae may feed on leaves, flowers, buds, or fruits of the host. Pupation occurs within the larval shelter and adults eclose in 10-12 days. The adult flight period lasts approximately 3 weeks.

During the first half of the 20th century, outbreaks of A. argyrospila would completely defoliate large areas of vegetation. The species was brought under control with the introduction of pesticides in the mid-1950's.

Host plants

Archips argyrospila has been recorded from a long list of plants, many of which are not primary hosts. Under outbreak conditions the larvae feed on any plant near the primary host, and the following host list contains both primary and incidental hosts.

Family Genus/species Common name
Aceraceae Acer L. maple
Aceraceae Acer negundo L. boxelder
Aceraceae Acer rubrum L. red maple
Aceraceae Acer spicatum Lam. mountain maple
Anacardiaceae Rhus L. sumac
Anacardiaceae Toxicodendron pubescens Mill. Atlantic poison oak
Betulaceae Betula papyrifera Marshall paper birch
Betulaceae Carpinus L. hornbeam
Caprifoliaceae Viburnum L. viburnum
Cornaceae Cornus glabrata Benth. brown dogwood
Cornaceae Cornus L. dogwood
Ericaceae Arbutus L. madrone
Ericaceae Arctostaphylos Adans. manzanita
Ericaceae Ledum groenlandicum Oeder bog Labrador tea
Ericaceae Rhododendron L. rhododendron
Ericaceae Vaccinium L. blueberry
Fabaceae Amorpha fruticosa L. desert false indigo
Fabaceae Medicago sativa L. alfalfa
Fabaceae Melilotus Mill. sweetclover
Fabaceae Robinia pseudoacacia L. black locust
Fabaceae Vicia L. vetch
Fagaceae Quercus agrifolia Nee California live oak
Fagaceae Quercus alba L. white oak
Fagaceae Quercus coccinea Munchh. scarlet oak
Fagaceae Quercus douglasii Hook. & Arn. blue oak
Fagaceae Quercus dumosa Nutt. coastal sage scrub oak
Fagaceae Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hook. Oregon white oak
Fagaceae Quercus kelloggii Newb. California black oak
Fagaceae Quercus lobata Nee valley oak
Fagaceae Quercus rubra L. red oak
Fagaceae Quercus wislizeni A. DC. interior live oak
Fagaceae Quercus L. oak
Grossulariaceae Ribes nigrum L. European black currant
Grossulariaceae Ribes uva-crispa L. European gooseberry
Grossulariaceae Ribes L. currant
Hippocastanaceae Aesculus californica (Spach) Nutt. California buckeye
Hippocastanaceae Aesculus hippocastanum L. horse chestnut
Hydrophyllaceae Eriodictyon Benth. yerba santa
Hydrophyllaceae Eriodictyon californicum (Hook. & Arn.) Torr. California yerba santa
Juglandaceae Carya Nutt. hickory
Juglandaceae Juglans L. walnut
Liliaceae Allium cepa L. garden onion
Myricaceae Myrica L. sweetgale
Myrtaceae Comptonia peregrina (L.) J. M. Coult. sweet fern
Oleaceae Fraxinus L. ash
Oleaceae Fraxinus latifolia Benth. Oregon ash
Pinaceae Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr. white fir
Pinaceae Pseudotsuga macrocarpa (Vasey) Mayr bigcone Douglas-fir
Pinaceae Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Douglas-fir
Platanaceae Platanus L. sycamore
Rhamnaceae Ceanothus cuneatus (Hook.) Nutt. buckbrush
Rhamnaceae Ceanothus incanus Torr. & A. Gray coast whitethorn
Rosaceae Cercocarpus Kunth mountain mahogany
Rosaceae Cercocarpus montanus Raf. alderleaf mountain mahogany
Rosaceae Cercocarpus montanus Raf. var. glaber (S. Watson) F. L. Martin birchleaf mountain mahogany
Rosaceae Crataegus L. hawthorn
Rosaceae Malus domestica Borkh. apple
Rosaceae Malus pumila Mill. paradise apple
Rosaceae Malus Mill. apple
Rosaceae Prunus armeniaca L. apricot
Rosaceae Prunus avium (L.) L. sweet cherry
Rosaceae Prunus ilicifolia (Nutt. ex Hook. & Arn.) D. Dietr. hollyleaf cherry
Rosaceae Prunus pensylvanica L. f. pin cherry
Rosaceae Prunus virginiana L. chokecherry
Rosaceae Prunus L.
Rosaceae Pyrus communis L. common pear
Rosaceae Pyrus L. pear
Rosaceae Rosa californica Cham. & Schltdl. California wildrose
Rosaceae Rosa L. rose
Rosaceae Rubus deliciosus Torr. delicious raspberry
Rosaceae Rubus L. blackberry
Rutaceae Citrus L. citrus
Rutaceae Citrus X sinensis (L.) Osbeck (pro sp.) [maxima X reticulata] sweet orange
Salicaceae Populus balsamifera L. balsam poplar
Salicaceae Populus grandidentata Michx. bigtooth aspen
Salicaceae Populus tremuloides Michx. quaking aspen
Salicaceae Populus L. cottonwood
Salicaceae Salix lasiolepis Benth. arroyo willow
Salicaceae Salix sessilifolia Nutt. northwest sandbar willow
Salicaceae Salix L. willow
Tiliaceae Tilia americana L. American basswood
Ulmaceae Ulmus americana L. American elm
Ulmaceae Ulmus L. elm
Vitaceae Vitis L. grape

Distribution

Archips argyrospila is native to North America and is found throughout the continental United States and southern Canada.

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.

Powell, J. A. 1964. Biological and taxonomic studies on tortricine moths, with reference to the species in California. University of California Publications in Entomology. Vol. 32. 317 pp.

Powell, J. A. and P. A. Opler. 2009. Moths of western North America. University of California Press, Berkeley. 369 pp.

Photo Credits

Figs. 7-10:  University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM Web Site)

Fig. 11: USDA Forest Service - Region 8 Archive, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

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