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CAPS Non-target - Adult

Endothenia hebesana (Walker) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Bactrini)

Common names: verbena bud moth

Synonyms: adjustana (Endothenia), daeckeana (Olethreutes), fillerea (Endothenia), fullerea (Penthina), inexpectana (Endothenia), inexpertana (Carpocapsa), kiyosatoensi (Endothenia), torquata (Argyroploce), toteniana (Endothenia)

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 2: Male genitalia

Fig. 2: Male genitalia

Fig. 3: Female genitalia

Fig. 3: Female genitalia

Adult Recognition

FWL: 4.5-8.5 mm

Fresh specimens have a bluish-gray cast to the forewings with varying orange-brown scaling. Three gray spots edged with black are present near the termen. Worn specimens may be difficult to distinguish from similar species without a genitalic dissection. Males lack a forewing costal fold.

Some species of  Paralobesia species resemble E. hebesana in wing coloration and pattern. Worn specimens of E. hebesana may resemble a variety of North American olethreutines, and a genitalic dissection may be necessary to confirm identity.

Larval Morphology

Late instar larvae are approximately 10 mm in length. The abdomen varies in color, but many individuals are yellowish or reddish with inconspicuous pinacula. The head and prothoracic shield are black. An anal comb is present with 4-6 teeth.

Larvae are morphologically similar to those of Lobesia and Paralobesia, including Lobesia botrana and Paralobesia viteana. The D2 setae on A9 are on a joined "saddle" pinaculum, the D1 and SD1 setae on A9 are on a single pinaculum, and the SV group on A7 is trisetose (SV counts 3:3:3:2:2). However, it unlikely that larvae of E. hebesana would be encountered on the same hosts as L. botrana or P. viteana.

Biology

Larvae develop in the seeds of their host plants. Adults are present in mid-April through September, many times in large numbers. Multiple generations are produced in southern locations.

Host plants

Larvae of this species have been recorded feeding on members of at least eight plant families. In some areas it is considered a minor pest of ornamentals.

Family Genus/species Common name
Anacardiaceae Toxicodendron diversilobum (Torr. & A. Gray) Greene Pacific poison oak
Asteraceae Solidago L. goldenrod
Betulaceae Ostrya Scop. hophornbeam
Gentianaceae Frasera caroliniensis Walter American columbo
Gentianaceae Gentiana saponaria L. harvestbells
Gentianaceae Gentianopsis crinita (Froel.) Ma greater fringed gentian
Iridaceae Iris L. iris
Iridaceae Tigridia Juss. peacock flower
Lamiaceae Physostegia Benth. lionsheart
Lamiaceae Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth. obedient plant
Lamiaceae Scutellaria L. skullcap
Lamiaceae Scutellaria lateriflora L. blue skullcap
Lamiaceae Stachys L. hedgenettle
Lamiaceae Teucrium canadense L. Canada germander
Ranunculaceae Delphinium L. larkspur
Sarraceniaceae Sarracenia L. pitcherplant
Sarraceniaceae Sarracenia purpurea L. purple pitcherplant
Scrophulariaceae Antirrhinum L. snapdragon
Scrophulariaceae Aureolaria flava (L.) Farw. smooth yellow false foxglove
Scrophulariaceae Aureolaria Raf. false foxglove
Scrophulariaceae Castilleja affinis Hook. & Arn. coast Indian paintbrush
Scrophulariaceae Castilleja affinis Hook. & Arn. ssp. affinis coast Indian paintbrush
Scrophulariaceae Castilleja latifolia Hook. & Arn. Monterey Indian paintbrush
Scrophulariaceae Castilleja Mutis ex L. f. Indian paintbrush
Scrophulariaceae Orthocarpus Nutt. owl's-clover
Scrophulariaceae Pedicularis canadensis L. Canadian lousewort
Scrophulariaceae Penstemon Schmidel beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae Verbascum L. mullein
Verbenaceae Verbena L. vervain

Distribution

Endothenia hebesana is present in eastern North America, Texas, and the Pacific coast. It is also recorded from China, Finland, Japan, Norway, and Russia.

References

Gilligan, T. M., D. J. Wright and L. D. Gibson. 2008. Olethreutine moths of the midwestern United States, an identification guide. Ohio Biological Survey, Columbus, Ohio. 334 pp.

MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist Supplement 10: 1-338.

Miller, W. E. 1983. Nearctic Endothenia species: a new synonymy, a misidentification, and a revised status (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Great Lakes Entomologist. 16: 5-12.

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