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CAPS Non-target - Adult

Spilonota ocellana (Denis & Schiffermuller) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Eucosmini)

Common names: eye-spotted bud moth

Synonyms: centralasiae (ssp.), comitana (Tortrix), luscana (Pyralis), occulana (Penthina), pyrifoliana (Hedya), zellerana (Tmetocera)

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 2: Male

Fig. 2: Male

Fig. 3: Female

Fig. 3: Female

Fig. 4: Male genitalia

Fig. 4: Male genitalia

Fig. 5: Female sterigma

Fig. 5: Female sterigma

Adult Recognition

FWL: 5.5-8.0 mm

Adults are grayish brown and are found in both light and dark forms. Forewing markings include a wide median fasica which ranges in color from white to cream to gray, a dark-brown mark on the dorsum proximal to the tornus, and a series of small black dashes in the ocellus. In many individuals the median fascia is confluent with the postmedian and preterminal fasciae, creating an overall gray or whitish appearance. Males have a notch at the base of the antenna and lack a forewing costal fold.

In North America, S. ocellana is unlikely to be confused with any other species of tortricid. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity of worn specimens. Males have a distinctively shaped cucullus and females have two thornlike signa.

Larval Morphology

Late instar larvae are approximately 9-14 mm long with a gray to dull reddish-brown abdomen. The head and prothoracic shield are reddish-brown to black, sometimes with dark mottling. Prothoracic legs are dark brown. Other distinguishing features include: abdominal pinacula large and raised; SV counts on A1,2,7,8,9 usually 3:3:2:2:2; L pinaculum on A9 trisetose; and anal comb present with 3-8 teeth.

Biology

Spilonota ocellana completes a single generation per year. Adults are present June to August.

Females lay eggs singly on leaves. Newly hatched larvae feed primarily on leaves. Third instar larvae construct a hibernaculum, often in a spur crotch, where they overwinter. Feeding resumes in early spring on fruiting buds, leaves, and blossoms, with larvae forming a tubular chamber between leaves or in a rolled leaf. Pupation occurs in a leaf nest near the feeding site.

Host plants

Spilonota ocellana is a pest in orchards, with apple (Malus) and cherry (Prunus) being preferred hosts.

Family Genus/species Common name
Anacardiaceae Rhus L. sumac
Betulaceae Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. European alder
Betulaceae Alnus japonica (Thunb.) Steud. Japanese alder
Betulaceae Alnus Mill. alder
Betulaceae Betula L. birch
Betulaceae Betula pubescens Ehrh. downy birch
Betulaceae Carpinus betulus L. European hornbeam
Elaeagnaceae Hippophae rhamnoides L. seaberry
Ericaceae Kalmia L. laurel
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia paralias L. sea spurge
Fagaceae Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hook. Oregon white oak
Fagaceae Quercus robur L. English oak
Fagaceae Quercus L. oak
Juglandaceae Juglans L. walnut
Myricaceae Myrica gale L. sweetgale
Pinaceae Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carriere Japanese larch
Pinaceae Larix Mill. larch
Polygonaceae Rumex obtusifolius L. bitter dock
Rosaceae Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai flowering quince
Rosaceae Crataegus L. hawthorn
Rosaceae Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand.
Rosaceae Cydonia Mill. cydonia
Rosaceae Malus domestica Borkh. apple
Rosaceae Malus Mill. apple
Rosaceae Malus pumila Mill. paradise apple
Rosaceae Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. European crab apple
Rosaceae Prunus L.
Rosaceae Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc. Japanese apricot
Rosaceae Prunus pensylvanica L. f. pin cherry
Rosaceae Prunus persica (L.) Batsch peach
Rosaceae Prunus salicina Lindl. Japanese plum
Rosaceae Prunus serrulata var. spontanea (Maxim.) E. H. Wilson
Rosaceae Pyracantha M. Roem. firethorn
Rosaceae Pyrus communis L. common pear
Rosaceae Pyrus L. pear
Rosaceae Rubus L. blackberry
Rosaceae Sorbus aucuparia L. European mountain ash
Rosaceae Sorbus L. mountain ash
Salicaceae Salix cinerea L. large gray willow
Salicaceae Salix L. willow

Distribution

Spilonota ocellana is present in all apple growing regions of the northern hemisphere. It was introduced into North America from Europe sometime before 1840 and now occurs across southern Canada and the northern United States, ranging as far south as North Carolina, Ohio, and California.

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.

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.

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