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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293756
Title: A new name for the western spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)?

Author
item GILLIGAN, TODD - Colorado State University
item Brown, John

Submitted to: The Canadian Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/27/2013
Publication Date: 4/24/2014
Publication URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2014.17
Citation: Gilligan, T.M., Brown, J.W. 2014. A new name for the western spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)? The Canadian Entomologist. 146(06):583-589.

Interpretive Summary: Caterpillars of the family known as leaf-roller moths cause significant economic damage to forests, crops, and ornamental plantings. In order to manage these pests effectively, it is essential to be able to unambiguously communicate information about their anatomy, biology, detection, and control. There currently is considerable confusion in the literature as to the correct scientific name of the notorious forest pests known as the western spruce budworm. Although the name “Choristoneura occidentalis” has historically been applied to the western spruce budworm, the correct scientific name for this species is Choristoneura freemani. Here we detail the source of this change. This information will be useful to forest entomologists in North America and to APHIS-PPQ personnel at U.S. ports-of-entry where the African species (Choristoneura occidentalis) is occasionally intercepted on various agricultural commodities.

Technical Abstract: There currently is considerable confusion as to the correct application of the name Choristoneura occidentalis. This name has historically been applied to the western spruce budworm, a serious forest pest in western North America. However, Razowski (2008) transferred Archips occidentalis into Choristoneura and proposed C. freemani as the replacement name for the western spruce budworm. Here we detail these changes and provide illustrations of wing patterns and genitalia for each species.