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CAPS Non-target - Adult

Archips purpurana (Clemens) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Synonyms: guritana (Cacoecia), gurgitana (Tortrix), lintneriana (Tortrix)

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: Female

Fig. 5: Female

Fig. 6: Male genitalia

Fig. 6: Male genitalia

Fig. 7: Female genitalia

Fig. 7: Female genitalia

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.

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