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Port Interception Target - Larva

Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Common names: brown-headed leafroller

Synonyms: charactana (Cacoecia), ropeana (Tortrix), spurcatana (Teras), transtrigana (Sciaphila), turbulentana (Sciaphila)

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: 7.5-12.0 mm

Adults are brown to browish gray with a variable wing pattern. Most individuals have several dark markings along the costa, including a remnant of the median fasciaMales have a long forewing costal fold that extends to half the length of the wing. Hindwings are mottled in both males and females.

The brown-headed leafroller complex in New Zealand contains several species that are not easy to distinguish. Dugdale et al. (2005) recommend using DNA sequence data to separate members of this complex. Langhoff et al. (2009) provides DNA barcode data for distinguishing Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix.

Larval Morphology

Late instar larvae are approximately 20 mm in length with conspicuous pinacula. The head is dark brown to reddish brown and may be marked with faint red mottling. The prothoracic shield has dark shading on the lateral and posterior margins. Earlier instars have a black head and prothoracic shield.

Biology

Ctenopseustis obliquana completes 4-6 overlapping generations per year. Adults are most common November-March.

Females lay eggs in smooth masses composed of up to 150 individual eggs. Early instar larvae web together shoot tips or roll leaves. Later instars feed on leaves, buds, and fruit of the host plant. Larvae may cause economic damage by webbing leaves to fruit. Pupation occurs in the larval nest.

Larval damage is nearly identical to that caused by Epiphyas postvittana and Planotortrix excessana.

Host plants

The brown-headed leafroller complex is an important horticultural pest in New Zealand. Larvae are highly polyphagous and have been recorded feeding on plants in more than 20 families.

Family Genus/species Common name
Actinidiaceae Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. tara vine
Actinidiaceae Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang & A. R. Ferguson
Asteraceae Aster L. daisy
Verbenaceae Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. var. resinifera (G. Forst.) Bakh. gray mangrove
Berberidaceae Berberis L. barberry
Caprifoliaceae Lonicera L. honeysuckle
Cornocarpaceae Corynocarpus laevigata Forst. New Zealand laurel
Ebenaceae Diospyros kaki L. f. Japanese persimmon
Fabaceae Clianthus puniceus (G. Don) Sol. ex Lindl. Kaka beak
Salicaceae Dovyalis caffra Warb. kei apple
Escalloniaceae Escallonia Mutis ex L.f.
Grossulariaceae Ribes L. currant
Grossulariaceae Ribes nigrum L. European black currant
Myrtaceae Acca sellowiana (O. Berg.) Burret feijoa
Myrtaceae Syzygium smithii (Poir.) Nied. lilly pilly
Primulaceae Cyclamen L. cyclamen
Rosaceae Malus domestica Borkh. apple
Rosaceae Malus Mill. apple
Rosaceae Prunus armeniaca L. apricot
Rosaceae Prunus persica (L.) Batsch peach
Rosaceae Prunus L. cherry
Rosaceae Prunus L. plum
Rosaceae Rosa L. rose
Rosaceae Rubus L. cranberry
Rubiaceae Coprosma rotundifolia A. Cunn.
Rutaceae Citrus L. citrus
Scrophulariaceae Veronica L. speedwell
Theaceae Camellia japonica L.
Vitaceae Vitis vinifera L. wine grape

Distribution

Ctenopseustis obliquana is a native of New Zealand. Reports of it being introduced into Hawaii could not be confirmed.

References

Dugdale, J. S., D. Gleeson, L. H. Clunie and P. W. Holder. 2005. A diagnostic guide to Tortricidae encountered in field surveys and quarantine inspections in New Zealand: Morphological and molecular characters. National Plant Pest Reference Laboratory. 161 pp.

Kay, M. K. 1979. Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Brownheaded leafroller. New Zealand Forest Service, Forest and Timber Insects in New Zealand. No. 40.

Langhoff, P., A. Authier, T. R. Buckley, J. S. Dugdale, A. Rodrigo and R. D. Newcomb. 2009. DNA barcoding of the endemic New Zealand leafroller moth genera, Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix. Molecular Ecology Resources. 9: 691-698.

Stevens, P., K. Froud and L. Jamieson. 2002. Effects of adult feeding on longevity and fecundity of Ctenopseustis obliquana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science. 30: 229-234.

Wearing C. H., W. P. Thomas, J. W. Dugdale and W. Danthanarayana. 1991. Tortricid pests of pome and stonefruits, Australian and New Zealand species., pp. 453-472.  In L. P. S. van der Geest and H. H. Evenhius [eds.], Tortricid Pests: Their Biology, Natural Enemies, and Control. World Crop Pests, Vol. 5. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Photo Credits

Fig. 7: HortResearch (http://www.plantandfood.co.nz/)

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