Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Argyrotaenia franciscana (Walsingham, 1879)
(1)
Lozotaenia franciscana Walsingham, 1879
(2)
Tortrix citrana Fernald, 1889 (
18)
Argyrotaenia citrana
Explanation of Names
Specific epithet for the type location (San Francisco).
Size
Forewing length 5.5-8.5 mm.
(3)Identification
Adult - sinuate costa, grey with whitish antemedial band, dorsal area and outlining the distal costal spot. Females have broader forewing and diffuse markings.
(3)
Larva - larval head and prothoracic shield are light brown and unmarked. Body color vaires with host plant, but larvae are usually pale to dark green.
(4)Range
Pacific Coast from British Columbia to California (records from Florida refer to A. ivana).
Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection locations and dates.
Type locality: San Francisco, California, May 16, 1871.
Habitat
Primarily in the cooler coastal areas and river valleys.
(4)Season
Flies year round in California.
Food
Pest of citrus and other fruit trees. A remarkably polyphagous species...scroll down to "Host Plants" on
this TortAI ID fact sheet for a long list.
In a 2002 article for the journal Fremontia, Jerry Powell wrote:
"Some species feed on an array of angiosperms, or conifers, some even on both, but rarely does their diet include monocots, which mainly serve specialists with modified mandibles. The Argyrotaenia franciscana complex (Tortricidae) in coastal California is a good example; larvae have been found on a vast array of angiosperms, both woody and herbaceous, native and exotic, and occasionally on conifers. Even within populations, A. franciscana is polyphagous, recorded on 24 species of plants in 15 families at the UC Big Creek Reserve in Monterey County. These include Sequoia (coast redwood), Cupressus macrocarpa(Monterey cypress), and the succulents, Sedum (stonecrop) and Dudleya, feeding in the inflorescences. On San Miguel Island, A. franciscana insulana larvae have been found on 22 species, which is 10% of the flora, but not on monocots."
Life Cycle
See
this TortAI ID fact sheet for detailed info on life cycle.
(4)See Also
Clepsis peritana
See Obraztsov (1961) Remarks.
(1)Print References
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. pl.18.16f, .17f, 18m, .19f, .22f, .23f; p. 148.
(3)
Walsingham, Lord. North-American Torticidae.
Illustrations of typical specimens of Lepidoptera Heterocera in the collection of the British Museum 4:
13.
(2)