Exotic
Acleris literana (Linnaeus) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Tortricini)
Common names: sprinkled rough-wing, lichen button
Synonyms: too many to list here, but see Gilligan et al. (2018) for a full list, including synonyms, forms, aberrations, and varieties (35+ names).
FWLFWL:
forewing length; the distance from the base of the forewing to the apex, including fringe
: 9.0-11.0 mm
Acleris literana is a variable species, with many described forms and aberrations, but most specimens possess a FW with light green ground color with black and white streaks and scattered patches of raised scales. The HW is pale gray, becoming darker apically.
Male genitalia are characterized by uncusuncus:
a sclerotized process which is fused to the posterodorsal margin of tergum IX
absent; sociisocii:
a pair of lightly sclerotized setose lobes
well-developed; valvaevalva:
an appendage flanking the intromittent organ that is used to clasp the female during copulation
triangular with a well-developed sacculussacculus:
the ventral margin of the male valva 
and densely setosesetose:
covered with setae
brachiola. The female genitalia are characterized by a sterigmasterigma:
the sclerotized region surrounding the female ostium bursae 
with strong anterolateral processes and a single stellate signasignum:
a sclerotized projection or patch on the interior of the corpus bursae
in the corpus bursaecorpus bursae:
a dilated membranous sac at the anterior end of the bursa copulatrix
.
Detailed descriptions of the larva of A. literana and its chaetotaxy are not available at present.
In the UK, the larvae of A. literana are easily distinguished from other oak-feeding tortricids which occur at the same time by “the prothoracic markings and the greyish green tapered body” (Bland et al. 2015Bland et al. 2015:
Bland, K. P., Hancock, E.F., Razowski, J. 2015. The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 5: Tortricidae, Pt 1: Tortricinae amp; Chlidanotinae. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. 245 pp.).
Acleris literana is unlikely to be confused with any other species of Tortricidae. The combination of light green ground color with patches of raised scales will serve to separate it from native species of Tortricidae.
The following account is summarized from Sheldon (1921)Sheldon (1921):
Sheldon, W. G. 1921. Oxigrapha literana , L.: its life-cycle, distribution, and variation. Entomologist. 54: 157-161..
Eggs are laid singly or in groups of two to three on twigs of oak (Quercus spp.) in April to May. Larvae feed from late April to early July, before pupating in spun leaves of oak in late June to July. In the UK, Acleris literana completes a single generation per year, with adults appearing in late August to October, and again in April and May, having overwintered as adults.
Though larvae seem to prefer plants in the family Fagaceae, especially oaks (Quercus spp.), but will apparently also accept apple (Malus spp.), birch (Betula spp.), basswood (Tilia spp.), and maple (Acer spp.) in captivity.
| Host plant | Host plant family | Reference(s) |
| Acer campestre | Aceraceae | Bradley et al. 1973Bradley et al. 1973: Bradley, J. D., Tremewan, W. G., Smith, A. 1973. British Tortricoid Moths, Cochylidae and Tortricidae: Tortricinae. The Ray Society, London. 251 pp. |
| Betula pubescens | Betulaceae | Disque 1908Disque 1908: Disque, H. 1908. Versuch einer microlepidopterologischen Botanik. Deutsch Entomologische Zeitschrift Iris. 21: 34-147. |
| Betula sp. | Betulaceae | Disque 1908Disque 1908: Disque, H. 1908. Versuch einer microlepidopterologischen Botanik. Deutsch Entomologische Zeitschrift Iris. 21: 34-147.; Bradley et al. 1973Bradley et al. 1973: Bradley, J. D., Tremewan, W. G., Smith, A. 1973. British Tortricoid Moths, Cochylidae and Tortricidae: Tortricinae. The Ray Society, London. 251 pp. |
| Fagus sylvatica | Fagaceae | Bradley et al. 1973Bradley et al. 1973: Bradley, J. D., Tremewan, W. G., Smith, A. 1973. British Tortricoid Moths, Cochylidae and Tortricidae: Tortricinae. The Ray Society, London. 251 pp. |
| Quercus robur | Fagaceae | Disque 1908Disque 1908: Disque, H. 1908. Versuch einer microlepidopterologischen Botanik. Deutsch Entomologische Zeitschrift Iris. 21: 34-147. |
| Quercus sp. | Fagaceae | Meyrick MS 1938Meyrick MS 1938: Meyrick MS 1938. Unpublished manuscript by E. Meyrick at BMNH, data captured by Gaeden Robinson.; Benander 1964Benander 1964: Benander, P. 1964. Notes on the larvae of Swedish Micro-Lepidoptera. I. Opusc. Ent. 29: 266-272.; Bradley et al. 1973Bradley et al. 1973: Bradley, J. D., Tremewan, W. G., Smith, A. 1973. British Tortricoid Moths, Cochylidae and Tortricidae: Tortricinae. The Ray Society, London. 251 pp.; Emmet 1992Emmet 1992: Emmet, A.M. 1992. Life history and habits of the British Lepidoptera. Pp. 61-300. In : Emmet, A.M., Heath, J. (eds.), The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, 7. 400 pp., Harley Books, Colchester. |
| Malus sylvestris | Rosaceae | Bradley et al. 1973Bradley et al. 1973: Bradley, J. D., Tremewan, W. G., Smith, A. 1973. British Tortricoid Moths, Cochylidae and Tortricidae: Tortricinae. The Ray Society, London. 251 pp. |
| Prunus dulcis | Rosaceae | Disque 1908Disque 1908: Disque, H. 1908. Versuch einer microlepidopterologischen Botanik. Deutsch Entomologische Zeitschrift Iris. 21: 34-147. |
| Rubus sp. | Rosaceae | Disque 1908Disque 1908: Disque, H. 1908. Versuch einer microlepidopterologischen Botanik. Deutsch Entomologische Zeitschrift Iris. 21: 34-147. |
| Tilia sp. | Tiliaceae | Bradley et al. 1973Bradley et al. 1973: Bradley, J. D., Tremewan, W. G., Smith, A. 1973. British Tortricoid Moths, Cochylidae and Tortricidae: Tortricinae. The Ray Society, London. 251 pp. |
View full screen host table here
Acleris literana is widespread in north and central Europe, with additional records from Italy, Sardinia, Russia, and Asia Minor (Bland et al. 2015Bland et al. 2015:
Bland, K. P., Hancock, E.F., Razowski, J. 2015. The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 5: Tortricidae, Pt 1: Tortricinae amp; Chlidanotinae. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. 245 pp.).
