Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#331125
Tortricid Moth - Cacoecimorpha pronubana

Tortricid Moth - Cacoecimorpha pronubana
Puyallup, Pierce County, Washington, USA
September 9, 2009
Size: 8 mm
It emerged this afternoon! It looks a lot like Carnation Tortrix Moth - Hodges#3678 (Cacoecimorpha pronubana).

I sent a link to John Davis who confirmed the ID and forwarded to Eric LaGasa. Here is his response.

"Yes Lynette, your ID is right on. Cacoecimorpha pronubana is fairly
common on a wide variety of ornamental plants in our area. It also is
the only adult tortricid you can identify "on the wing" as it flies
during the day and has brilliant orange hind wings (that stand out in
flight, which you may have noticed). It also has the unusual (for moths)
habit of congregating in daytime adult "mating swarms" that can be
prominent if populations are very high. Here's a link to more info in a
survey (report) I did in the late 90's;
www.invasives.wsu.edu.

I agree with John, the full life cycle image series is really great, and
also shows the value of rearing pupae when you find them. Rearing
larvae and pupae is a very productive insect survey technique, and as
you've seen produces beautiful pristine adults (for photography and
release or collections) . . . Not to mention is an easy and fun activity
for kids too. Here's a link to some info I put up on the web this
summer about defoliating moths in our area and includes a biology lesson
plan for teachers based on rearing;
www.invasives.wsu.edu (Your feedback on
the site and lesson plan would be appreciated ;-).

All of you guys are among the most productive survey entomologists in
the region, and I regularly check your BugGuide contributions for both
the beauty and entomology survey significance of your images. By all
means, please keep up the great work."

Images of this individual: tag all
little caterpillar on Rudbekia - Cacoecimorpha pronubana little caterpillar closer - Cacoecimorpha pronubana little pupa - Cacoecimorpha pronubana Tortricid Moth - Cacoecimorpha pronubana

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