Forest Pest Insects in North America: a Photographic Guide

Fruittree leafroller

Archips argyrospila (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Orientation to pest

Fruittree leafroller, Archips argyrospila (Walker), is a native tortricid moth that is part of a species complex, of difficult to separate forms. It is found throughout the United States and from coast to coast in southern Canada, where it feeds on a wide range of hardwoods. Winter is passed as eggs, which are laid in masses on twigs or small branches. Eggs hatch in spring and larvae feed on buds, blossoms, young fruit, and unfolding leaves. Foliage is webbed together by larvae to form a nest in which they rest, moving out to feed on new foliage. Pupation occurs in a loose cocoon spun in the nest. Outbreaks of this species have occurred, especially in the eastern and Great Lakes parts of the USA.

Hosts commonly attacked

Lavae of fruittree leafroller feed on hardwood, including poplar (Populus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), ash (Fraxinus), hickory (Carya), elm (Ulmus), oak (Quercus), maple (Acer), walnut (Juglans), and buckeye (Aesculus).

Distribution

This moth is found throughout the United States and southern Canada.

Images of fruittree leafroller

Adult of fruittree leafroller James B. Hanson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Adult of fruittree leafroller Jason Dombroskie, University of Alberta, Bugwood.org 768x512
Egg mass of fruittree leafroller California IPM photo library 768x512
Figure 1. Adult of fruittree leafroller, Archips argyrospila Figure 2. Egg mass of fruittree leafroller
Larva of fruittree leafroller USDA Forest Service - Region 8 - Southern Archive, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Pupa of fruittree leafroller, in opened larval nest California IPM photo library 768x512
Leafroll or nest of larvae of fruittree leafroller California IPM photo library 768x512
Figure 3. Larva of fruittree leafroller Figure 4. Pupa of fruittree leafroller, in opened larval nest Figure 5. Leafroll or nest of larvae of fruittree leafroller

Important biological control agents related to this pest species

Many natural enemies have been reared from the larvae and pupae of this species, but they vary by region and none seem to be specialized. In Louisiana, on an outbreak of a closely related species, Archips goyerana Kruse, on bald cypress (Taxodium distichum [L.] Rich.), the most common parasitoids reared were the ichneumonid Itoplectis conquisitor Say, followed by the chalcid Brachymeria ovata (Say), both generalists with wide host ranges.

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