Species Aspila prunivora - Lesser Appleworm Moth - Hodges#3429

3429

Grapholita prunivora (Walsh, 1868) (1)

Semasia prunivora Walsh, 1868

Enarmonia prunivora

Specific epithet from Latin prunus+vorus meaning "plum-eater."

FWL ≈ 4-5.5mm

Wingspan 8-10 mm. (1)

Adult - forewing pattern is distinctive with pale-yellow costal strigulae, silvery striae, a line of yellow scales preceding the black terminal line, and a well-developed ocellus with 3-4 black dashes.

Larva - late instar larvae are approximately 7.5-9.5 mm in length with a pale-reddish abdomen. The head is yellowish brown with darker mottling. The prothoracic and anal shields are brown; the prothoracic shield may have some dark posterolateral markings. Pinacular are moderately large. An anal comb is present with 4-6 teeth. (2)

Found throughout southern Canada and the continental U.S. It is absent from the far South.

Moth Photographers Group – distribution & flight-period chart

Two annual generations over much of its range. Adults are present in May to June and again in August.

In addition to feeding on various stone-fruits, larvae have also been recorded feeding inside galls.

Females lay eggs singly on young fruits or on the upper surface of leaves. Lavae tunnel into the fruit at the calyx end and feed inside. In apple, larvae may feed directly under the skin of the fruit, creating a blotchy mine. Overwintering occurs as a mature larva and pupation occurs in the spring.

This is one of the smallest North American tortricids. Fresh specimens are unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Walsh, B.D., 1868. Chapter XIII. The plum moth (Semasia prunivora, Walsh). First annual report on the noxious insects of the State of Illinois: 105-111.

Moth Photographers Group

BOLD Systems

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance