garden tortrix

not listed

NNR - Unranked

SNR - Unranked

not listed

Garden tortrix is a common, small, leafroller moth. It occurs throughout the United States, southern Canada, and Mexico. In the U.S., it is mostly absent from the upper west. It is common in Minnesota.

The larvae feed mostly on dead leaves, but they also feed on the flowers, leaves, and fruits of living plants. These include commercial crops of strawberries, citrus, and lima beans, where they may become a significant pest. Adults are active from June through August in Minnesota. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, old fields, and wooded residential areas.

Adults are 5⁄16″ (8 mm) in length and have a ⅜″ to ⅝″ (10 to 15 mm) wingspan. Moth size is sometimes given in terms of forewing length, which for this moth is about 3⁄16″ (5.0 mm) for the male, 3⁄16″ to 5⁄16″ (5.5 to 7.5 mm) for the female.

The head is pale brownish cream colored. The thorax is usually darker.

The forewings are broad. The outer margin is oblique and relatively straight. The ground color is tan to brown, and there are numerous short, horizontal, wavy lines (striations), especially on the leading edge (costal margin) and on the lower third of the wing. The striations can be dark brown, light brown, or indistinct. There is a well-defined, oblique, brown median band. The band is bordered above by a distinct, white, antemedial (AM) line, and often by a less distinct white line below. It extends from a dark brown patch on the costal margin, rearward to the inner margin, where there is a similar patch. There is another rounded, dark-brown patch on the costal margin in the subterminal area. The postmedial line is a fine brown line leading from the costal patch to the inner (anal) angle. It is sometimes indistinct or absent. The fringe is light brown to whitish. On females, the median band is usually less distinct. On males, the forewing does not have a costal fold.

The hindwings are whitish with light brown or light grayish brown around the margins.

Total length: 5⁄16″ (8 mm)

Wingspan: ⅜″ to ⅝″ (10 to 15 mm)

A wide variety of habitats, including forests, old fields, and wooded residential areas

Two to four generations per year: June through August

Adults are active at night and will come to lights.

Pupae or middle instar larvae overwinter among dead leaves on the ground.

Mostly dead leaves but also flowers, leaves, and fruits of living plants

Sources

4, 21, 27, 29, 30, 75, 82, 83.

Common

Location: Albany, NY