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Title: Archips xylosteana (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a Palearctic leaf-rolling moth, new to North America

Author
item HOEBEKE, RICHARD - DEPT. ENT., CORNELL UNIV.
item WHEELER, A. - DEPT. ENT., CLEMSON UNIV.
item Brown, John

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2008
Publication Date: 7/8/2008
Citation: Hoebeke, R.E., Wheeler, A.G., Brown, J.W. 2008. Archips xylosteana (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a Palearctic leaf-rolling moth, new to North America. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 110:789-795.

Interpretive Summary: Caterpillars of moths of the family known as leaf-rollers attack ornamental, forest, and crop plants, causing millions of dollars in damage annually. Some of our most important leaf-roller pests are invasive species, native to other parts of the world. The purpose of this paper is to present the first records of a species of leaf-roller native to Europe that recently was discovered in Newfoundland, Canada. Owing to very broad range of plants upon which the caterpillars feed, this species has the potential to become a pest in the U.S. This information will be important for farmers in the northeastern U.S., especially those that grow crops in the rose family (e.g., apples, pears, cherries), and to action agencies such as USDA/APHIS.

Technical Abstract: Archips xylosteana (L.), a widespread Palearctic tortricid moth, is reported from St. John’s, Newfoundland, the first confirmed records of this species in North America. Adults were collected by beating branches and foliage of a variety of ornamental trees and shrubs on the campus of Memorial University in August 2005 and 2006. This immigrant tortricid, a minor pest of rosaceous fruit trees and shrubs, is redescribed and diagnosed, and habitus photographs of the adult are provided to facilitate its recognition. Distributional data from several sites in St. John’s are listed, and its Eurasian distribution, biology, habits, and host plants are summarized.