Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Tortricid Moths (Tortricoidea) » Tortricid Moths (Tortricidae) » Tortricinae » Archipini » Argyrotaenia » Orange Tortrix - Hodges#3612 (Argyrotaenia franciscana)
Photo#665397
tortricid - Argyrotaenia franciscana
Copyright © 2012 Lynette Elliott

tortricid - Argyrotaenia franciscana
Puyallup, Pierce County, Washington, USA
June 28, 2012
Remember when I collected 40 of these caterpillars last September? Well here is a moth that finally emerged from that group. I don't know why or how, but I ended up with a lot flies in there as well. It does appear that some of them were pupating inside the container, but I'm not sure how they got in there. I left the container outside all winter to keep the larvae in a natural environment.

I'll try to get a few better shots. I was afraid it would fly away... so this one was taken inside the little container.
Here are a few of the larvae

Images of this individual: tag all
tortricid - Argyrotaenia franciscana tortricid - Argyrotaenia franciscana
Contributed by Lynette Elliott on 28 June, 2012 - 9:28pm
Last updated 29 June, 2012 - 1:58pm

From Eric LaGasa
From Eric LaGasa
I’m fairly sure the critter you’re rearing there is good ‘ol orange tortrix, Argyrotaenia franciscana. Not only does it occur on more kinds of plants than any other tortricid (except maybe Light Brown Apple Moth . . . if you believe the California Dept of Ag.), it is quite variable for wing pattern, and also has flexible biology. Dick Wilson has some nice images on BugGuide, #363409 is a color pattern close to your adult.
There are a couple other species it might be, including carnation tortrix, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, but that would be very easy to diagnose by looking at the hind wings (beautiful bright orange if that species).


Moved from ID Request.
… Lynette Elliott, 29 June, 2012 - 1:58pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo