Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Clepsis melaleucanus (Walker, 1863)
Lophoderus melaleucanus Walker, 1863
(1)
Ptycholoma semifuscana Clemens, 1864
(2)
Conchylis invexana Walker, 1863
(1)
Lozotaenia biustulana Stephens, 1834
(3) Explanation of Names
Specific epithet from Greek μέλας + λευκός meaning "dark and light," presumably for the dark dorsal patch on the light ground color of the forewings. Melaleuca is a genus of myrtle but Walker makes no mention of a host plant in his description.
Size
Wingspan about 20 mm.
(4)
Forewing length 8.5-11 mm.
(5)
Identification
Larva - body pale green, head yellow-brown.
Range
Alberta to Newfoundland, south to North Carolina and Missouri.
(6)Food
Larva feeds on cohosh (
Caulophyllum sp.), Solomon’s seal (
Polygonatum sp.), and trillium (
Trillium sp.) (Razowski 1979). TortAI also includes green alder, mountain alder, wintergreen, witchhazel and meadowsweet.
(5)Life Cycle
Larva makes a tight roll of a leaf or bract, venturing out to feed upon nearby foliage or flowers.
(6)
Larva; pupa; adult
Print References
Razowski J., 1979. Revision of the Genus Clepsis Guenée (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae). Part I. Acta Zoological Cracoviensia 23(8): 101-198.
Walker, F., 1863. List of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part XXVIII – Tortricites and Tineites.
British Museum (Natural History), p.
335.
(1)
