Other Common Names
Apple Leaf Twister (larva)
Explanation of Names
NIVISELLANA: from the Latin "nivis" (snow); refers to the white wing color, especially near the base, and is the origin of the common name Snowy-shouldered Acleris
Size
wingspan 13-15 mm, based on images by Jim Vargo
Identification
Adult: forewing white with large blackish semicircular patch mid-way along costa; diffuse irregular patches of light gray mixed with brown in median area and along inner margin; dark spot near inner margin in AM area; subterminal area mostly dark gray; hindwing brownish-gray with wide pale fringe
Range
southern Canada and northern United States, south in the east to Maryland and Virginia, south in the west to California
Season
adults fly from April to October; most common in fall in Alberta
Food
larvae feed on leaves of apple (and other trees?)
Life Cycle
probably two generations per year
Internet References
live adult images by various photographers, plus common name reference [Snowy-shouldered Acleris] (Moth Photographers Group)
pinned adult image from Indiana by Jim Vargo (courtesy Dalton State College, Georgia)
pinned adult image by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)
pinned adult image from Oregon (courtesy Mississippi State U.)
adult illustration by Haruo Tashiro, plus common name reference [Apple Leaf Twister] (Cornell U., New York)
common name reference; PDF doc [Apple Leaf Twister] (Jason Dombrowskie, Pembroke Area Field Naturalists, Ontario)
specimen collection dates of 13 specimens in Alberta (U. of Alberta)
presence in Ontario; list (NHIC; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)
presence in California; list (U. of California at Berkeley)
