Acleris semipurpurana

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Oak leaftier moth
Acleris semipurpurana P1190863a.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tortricidae
Genus: Acleris
Species:
A. semipurpurana
Binomial name
Acleris semipurpurana
(Kearfott, 1909)
Synonyms
  • Tortrix albicomana var. semipurpuranaKearfott 1905
  • Tortrix semipurpurana
  • Argyrotoxa semipurpurana
  • Croesia semipurpurana
  • Tortrix dorsipurpuranaKearfott, 1907
Acleris semipurpurana, oak leaftier moth, size: 8.5 mm Acleris semipurpurana P1610919a.jpg
Acleris semipurpurana, oak leaftier moth, size: 8.5 mm
Acleris semipurpurana, oak leaftier moth, size: 8.7 mm Acleris semipurpurana P1610898a.jpg
Acleris semipurpurana, oak leaftier moth, size: 8.7 mm

Acleris semipurpurana is a species in the moth family Tortricidae, and one of several species of moth commonly known as oak leaftier or oak leaf tier. The larvae feed on the leaves of oak trees in the Eastern United States and southeastern Canada which can be a major cause of defoliation. The loss of leaves can kill or damage the affected trees, which are chiefly in the Lobatae or red oak section of Quercus , or oaks.

Contents

Adult Acleris semipurpurana moths lay single eggs on oak tree branches in June which develop over winter and hatch the next April. The larvae eat tree buds and young leaves, then tie leaves together with silk (hence the name). They nest and eat inside the tied leaves, then pupate in the leaf litter on the floor in May or June. After a week or two the adult moths emerge, mate, and lay the next generation of eggs.

Life cycle and description

Eggs are laid on twigs in June and hatch the following April Oak leaf tier moth eggs.jpg
Eggs are laid on twigs in June and hatch the following April

Oak leaftier moths lay their eggs in June each year, typically as single eggs on rough-bark twigs, typically "second year branches". [1] [2] The eggs overwinter, then hatch in the following spring. After larvae (or caterpillars) emerge in April, they eat the buds of oak trees and the young leaves inside them. When they are fully grown, the larvae are 12 millimetres (0.47 in) long and "dirty white to light green" with "a pale brown head and black to brown front legs". [2] Other identifying characteristics of the larvae are a long head with a black bar on the cheek or lower portion, and brown legs on the thorax. The larvae tie leaves together with silk, which gives the insect its common name. The larvae feed and nest inside the tied or folded leaves until mid- to late May, when they begin to pupate. [2] [3] [4]

The larvae leave the trees to pupate, descending to the ground on silken threads. The pupae are commonly found in leaf litter on the forest floor beneath the oak trees. In late May or June, after one or two weeks in the pupal stage, adult moths emerge. The moths are small with a wingspan of 12 millimetres (0.47 in); their wings have a characteristic bell shape. Wing colors can vary considerably. Some forewings are yellow while others have dark brown or even purple markings. The adults mate and lay eggs – only one generation of moths is produced annually. Acleris semipurpurana was first described by William D. Kearfott in 1909. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Range and impact

A larva (or caterpillar) eating an oak leaf Oak leaf tier larva.jpg
A larva (or caterpillar) eating an oak leaf

Acleris semipurpurana is found in the eastern United States and adjoining portions of southeastern Canada. It has been found in US states ranging from New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania in the northeast to Minnesota and Texas in the west, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario. [2] [6] [7] [8] The oak leaftiers feed mainly trees in the Lobatae or red oak section of Quercus or oak trees: Specifically on eastern black oak, northern red oak, pin oak, scarlet oak, and scrub oak. [1] [2] Several species of moths are referred to with the common name oak leaftier, most from the family Tortricidae, but also from "three other minor families". [9] Of these species Acleris semipurpurana is the most common and one of the most important for defoliation. In addition to the oak leaftiers, other pest species will often feed on the same trees, including Archips semiferanus and other oak leafrollers. [9]

The young larvae eat the buds and either destroy developing leaves, or cause leaves to develop with many holes in them. This can severely stress the tree's food reserves, and the older larvae can eat nearly all the remaining leaves, defoliating them. [2] When trees are defoliated two or more years in a row, this leads to "branch dieback, loss of diameter growth, and tree decline". [9] The oak leaftier has caused "considerable tree mortality", especially in the Appalachian region. [1] Dead wood in affected trees is attacked by fungi such as the shoestring root fungus and wood borers like the twolined chestnut borer. [9] A major outbreak occurred in the 1960s and 1970s in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. [5] Tiadaghton State Forest in north central Pennsylvania was especially hard hit. [10] Natural methods of pest control usually are sufficient to keep Croesia semipurpurana populations in check, but chemical pesticides are sometimes needed. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tortricidae</span> Family of tortrix moths

The Tortricidae are a family of moths, commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths, in the order Lepidoptera. This large family has over 11,000 species described, and is the sole member of the superfamily Tortricoidea, although the genus Heliocosma is sometimes placed within this superfamily. Many of these are economically important pests. Olethreutidae is a junior synonym. The typical resting posture is with the wings folded back, producing a rather rounded profile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winter moth</span> Species of moth

The winter moth is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is an abundant species in Europe and the Near East and a famous study organism for evaluating insect population dynamics. It is one of very few lepidopterans of temperate regions in which adults are active in late autumn and early winter. The adults use endothermy for movement in these cold temperatures. The females of this species are virtually wingless and cannot fly, but the males are fully winged and fly strongly. After the initial frosts of late fall, the females emerge from their pupae, walk to and up trees and emit pheromones in the evening to attract males. After fertilization, they ascend to lay, on average, around 100 eggs each. Typically, the larger the female moth is, the more eggs she lays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown-tail moth</span> Species of moth

The brown-tail moth is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is native to Europe, neighboring countries in Asia, and the north coast of Africa. Descriptions of outbreaks, i.e., large population increases of several years duration, have been reported as far back as the 1500s. The life cycle of the moth is atypical, in that it spends approximately nine months as larvae (caterpillars), leaving about one month each for pupae, imagos and eggs. Larvae (caterpillars) are covered in hairs. Two red spots on the back, toward the tail, distinguish these species from other similarly hairy moth larvae. The winged adults have white wings and a hairy white body with a tuft of brown hair at the tip of the abdomen. Females lay one egg cluster, usually on the underside of a leaf of a host plant. The species is polyphagous, meaning that it feeds on many different species of trees, including pear, apple, maple and oak.

<i>Quercus coccinea</i> Species of oak tree

Quercus coccinea, the scarlet oak, is a deciduous tree in the red oak section Lobatae of the genus Quercus, in the family Fagaceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Light brown apple moth</span> Species of moth (Epiphyas postvittana)

The light brown apple moth is a leafroller moth belonging to the lepidopteran family Tortricidae.

<i>Dryocampa rubicunda</i> Species of moth

Dryocampa rubicunda, the rosy maple moth, is a small North American moth in the family Saturniidae, also known as the great silk moths. It was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793. The species is known for its wooly body and pink and yellow coloration, which varies from cream or white to bright pink or yellow. Males have bushier antennae than females, which allow them to sense female pheromones for mating.

<i>Tortrix viridana</i> Species of moth

The green oak tortrix, Tortrix viridana, also known as the European oak leafroller and the green oak moth is a distinctive green moth whose larvae feed on tree leaves, especially oak. The head, forebody and front wings are green, the hind wings lightly greyish. The wingspan is 18-24 millimetres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birch leafminer</span> Name for a group of sawflies

Birch leafminers are sawflies, which are closely related to bees and wasps. They are among the most common insect pests affecting birch trees in North America. The primary species affecting birch trees in North America are Profenusa thomsoni and Fenusa pumila. Areas inside the leaves are consumed by the larvae, affecting the leaves' ability to produce food. Yearly browning of birch leaves are noticed in mid July and August, but the leafminers have been feeding inside the leaf tissue since early spring.

<i>Hyblaea puera</i> Moth species in family Hyblaeidae

Hyblaea puera, the teak defoliator, is a moth and cryptic species complex native to South Asia and South-east Asia. It was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1777. The species has also been recently reported to be present in Central America and Africa. The caterpillar feeds on teak and other trees. It is considered to be one of the major teak pests around the world.

<i>Acleris variegana</i> Species of moth

Acleris variegana, the garden rose tortricid moth or fruit tortricid, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It has a Palearctic distribution. The moth flies from July to September mainly at night and is attracted to bright lights. The larvae feed on various trees and shrubs including rose and apple.

<i>Zeiraphera canadensis</i> Species of moth

Zeiraphera canadensis, the spruce bud moth, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It is a small brown moth mainly found in North America, specifically New Brunswick, Quebec, and the north-eastern United States. The adult moth flutters quickly, and stays low among trees during the day and higher above tree cover after sunset. The spruce bud moth relies primarily on the white spruce tree as a host plant. Both male and female spruce bud moths mate multiply, however males have the ability to secrete accessory gland proteins that prevent female re-mating. The moth is univoltine, meaning only one generation hatches per year, and its eggs overwinter from July to May. The species Z. ratzeburgiana is very similar to Z. canadensis and can only be distinguished by the presence of an anal comb in Z. canadensis.

<i>Archips semiferanus</i> Species of moth

Archips semiferanus is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae, and one of several species of moth commonly known as oak leafroller or oak leaf roller. The larvae feed on the leaves of oak trees in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada and are a major defoliator of oak trees, which can lead to tree mortality. In Pennsylvania in the late 1960s and early 1970s, oak leafrollers defoliated over 1,045,000 acres (423,000 ha).

<i>Acleris</i> Genus of tortrix moths

Acleris is a genus of moths belonging to the subfamily Tortricinae of the family Tortricidae. As of 2007, about 241 species were known.

<i>Alsophila pometaria</i> Species of moth

Alsophila pometaria, the fall cankerworm, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia west to Alberta, south to Colorado and California and zones of Spain

<i>Anisota virginiensis</i> Species of moth

Anisota virginiensis, the pink-striped oakworm moth, is a species of silk moth of the family Saturniidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gypsy moths in the United States</span> Spread of an invasive species

The gypsy moth, also known as the spongy moth, was introduced in 1868 into the United States by Étienne Léopold Trouvelot, a French scientist living in Medford, Massachusetts. Because native silk-spinning caterpillars were susceptible to disease, Trouvelot imported the species in order to breed a more resistant hybrid species. Some of the moths escaped, found suitable habitat, and began breeding. The gypsy moth is now a major pest of hardwood trees in the Eastern United States.

<i>Archips goyerana</i> Species of moth

Archips goyerana, the baldcypress leafroller, is a moth of the family Tortricidae.

<i>Lymantria dispar dispar</i> Subspecies of moth (gypsy moth)

Lymantria dispar dispar, commonly known as the gypsy moth, European gypsy moth, LDD moth, or North American gypsy moth or spongy moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. It has a native range that extends over Europe and parts of Africa, and is an invasive species in North America.

<i>Acleris chalybeana</i> Species of moth

Acleris chalybeana, the lesser maple leafroller moth, is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Tomostethus multicinctus, the brownheaded ash sawfly, is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae that is native to southern Canada and the eastern United States. Adults of this species resemble wasps and the larvae feed on the leaves of ash trees.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 A guide to common insects and diseases of forest trees in the northeastern United States. Broomall, Pennsylvania: United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. p. 123. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2009-11-15 via Forest Pests. Note: this is published on the ForestPests.org website with the title "Oak Leaftiers: Acleris semipurpurana (Kearfott)"
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Talerico, R. L. (1978). "Major hardwood defoliators of the Eastern United States". United States Department of Agriculture, Home and Garden Bulletin. 224. Archived from the original on 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2009-10-31. Note: this is published on the ForestPests.org website with the title "Oak leaftier: Acleris semipurpurana"
  3. 1 2 3 "Oak Pests - A Guide to Major Insects, Diseases, Air Pollution, and Chemical Injury: Minor Defoliators". United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Southern Region. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  4. 1 2 "The Lepidoptera of Wayne County, Ohio". Ohio State University OARDC. Archived from the original on 2010-07-13. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  5. 1 2 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (1998). "Pest Alert Oak leaftier and Oak leafroller" (PDF). ForestPests.org. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  6. Beckwith, R. C. (November 1963). "An Oak Leaf Tier, Acleris semipurpurana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Connecticut". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 56 (6): 741–744. doi:10.1093/aesa/56.6.741.
  7. "Natural Heritage Information Centre". Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  8. "Forest Health in Ontario, 2000" (PDF). Natural Resources Canada, Canadian forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Snowden, Parker (December 1990). "How to Distinguish Oak Leaftiers From Leafrollers". United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  10. Thorpe, R.R. (1997). The Crown Jewel of Pennsylvania: The State Forest System. Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service. pp. 68–70. OCLC   37033507.