Type

Native

Exotic

Taxonomy

Cryptaspasma Walsingham (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Microcorsini)

Overview

The genus Cryptaspasma is pan-tropical in distribution and comprised of 35 described species. It has been recorded from Central America, South America, southern North America, Africa, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, southeast Asia, and the eastern Palearctic. The genus has traditionally been considered the sole representative of the tribe Microcorsini; however, the Australian genus Collogenes was recently transferred to the Microcorsini by Horak (2006)Horak (2006):
Horak, M. 2006. Olethreutine moths of Australia (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera, Vol. 10. 522 pp.. Microcorsini are hypothesized to be the most basal group in Olethreutinae. The genus is currently divided into seven subgenera based on geographic distribution and structures of the male genitalia; see Aarvik (2005)Aarvik (2005):
Aarvik, L. 2005. Revision of African Cryptaspasma Walsingham, 1900 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Norwegian Journal of Entomology. 51: 193-201. for a key to the subgenera.

Adults are dark brown with subdued patterns that are relatively uniform across the entire genus. Males have an array of various sex scales on the legs, hindwing, and end of the abdomen; the presence and form of the sex scales is sometimes helpful in separating species. Male and female genitalia are also uniform within most subgenera, making species recognition difficult. Several undescribed species are present in Central America, South America, and Australasia.

The two species are treated here feed on avocado and other Lauraceae. Cryptaspasma bipenicilla is a native of the Caribbean, Central America, and the southeastern U.S.; it has not been reported causing damage to commercially grown avocado. Cryptaspasma perseana is a native of Central America that is a pest of avocado in Mexico and Guatemala. The orange to pink larvae tunnel into the hard seed, damaging the pulp and potentially inducing early fruit drop.

Exotic species

Cryptaspasma perseana

Native species

Cryptaspasma bipenicilla

Host plant table (embedded)

View full screen host table here

Links

Additional photos and distribution maps for species in the United States and Canada are available at Moth Photographers Group.