Planotortrix excessana

Last updated

Planotortrix excessana
Planotortrix excessana.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tortricidae
Genus: Planotortrix
Species:
P. excessana
Binomial name
Planotortrix excessana
(Walker, 1863) [1]
Synonyms
  • Teras excessanaWalker, 1863
  • Teras biguttanaWalker, 1863
  • Cacoecia excessana(Walker, 1863)
  • Tortrix excessana(Walker, 1863)

Planotortrix excessana, the greenheaded leafroller, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It is native to New Zealand and is an introduced species in Hawaii. It is extremely variable in appearance and feeds on many native and introduced species. It is regarded as a pest of some agricultural and forestry crops.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1863 using a specimen collected in Nelson by T.R. Oxley and named Teras excessana. [2] [3] It is the type species for Planotortrix . [3] Also in 1963, Walker again described this species, but thinking it new named it Teras biguttana. This name was synonymised by Edward Meyrick in 1883. [4] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in 1928 in his work The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. [5] The male lectotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [3]

Description

Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings varies from 7⁄8 inch to 1+1⁄4 inches. The fore-wings of the male are rather broad, the costa strongly arched and the termen distinctly bowed outward and not oblique; dull reddish - brown to bright reddish - brown generally with very obscure blackish markings; there is a very faintly marked basal patch, an indistinct, irregular central band; an indefinite patch below the apex and an obscure discal spot; the outer portions of the wing are often thickly speckled with blackish grey. The hind-wings are pale grey, sometimes slightly tinged with reddish-brown and faintly dappled with darker grey. The female has the forewings longer and narrower and the general colouring usually brighter than the male. [5]

Some forms of P. excessana illustrated by Hudson Fig 27 - 30 Tortrix excessana Plate XXIV The butterflies (cropped).jpg
Some forms of P. excessana illustrated by Hudson

This species is extremely variable in appearance with the males possibly having forewings with a large white or pale yellowish spot, alternatively both the males and females can have forewings being ochreous and marbled with dark brown, or finally again both the males and females may have forewings being a dark purplish brown. [5] The females are even more varied than the male. As well as the previously mentioned forms, the females may have forewings coloured a bright orange brown with no distinct markings, or forewings again bright orange brown but densely speckled with dark brown and a faint discal spot and two clear black dots below the apex. [5] The female also might have forewings of warm brown with black discap and subapical spots or forewings again of warm brown but thickly speckled with black except on the area between the central band and apical patch. [5] The female might also have forewings of ochreous-brown with the basal patch and central band well-defined, also a cloudy patch below the apex with possibly the addition of fine dots of black. [5] Finally the female might also have ochreous forewings with the dorsum clouded brown. [5]

Adults of this species are difficult to distinguish from similar species such as P. avicenniae and P. octo . [6] P. excessana are usually warmly-coloured and sometimes patterned in contrast to the more dull tones of the previously mentioned species. [6] The diamond shaped white or cream patch in the forewing is present in some individuals of all Planotortrix species. [6]

The eggs of P. excessana have an opaque appearance. [7] The larvae are entirely coloured green. [7]

Distribution

P. excessana is native to New Zealand. [1] [8] It is distributed throughout the country including on the Chatham Islands and is regarded as being very common. [5] It has also been introduced to Hawaii and is regarded as an invasive species. [9]

Biology and behaviour

P. excessana has several generations per year. [7] The females lay eggs in a flat oval group that contains approximately 50 eggs. The larvae create a silk shelter on the underside of leaves and as they grow construct a structure in which they live by webbing leaves together. [7] When dislodged from their shelter they drop suspended from a silken thread. [10] The larvae pupate in this structure. [7]

Habitat and host plants

The larvae feed on many forest, orchard and garden shrubs and trees. [10] It prefers trees with broad leaves or needles and its hosts include exotic species such as Eucalyptus species, Sequoia sempervirens , Pinus species (including Pinus radiata ) and Pseudotsuga menziesii as well as New Zealand endemics such as Dicksonia squarrosa, Metrosideros diffusa and Peraxilla tetrapetala . [10] [11]

Interactions with humans

In New Zealand this species is a major pest of apples, strawberries, stone fruits and walnuts. [10] They feed on leaves, buds, and soft stems under a webbing of silk and foliage. [10] P. excessana also cause scarring damage on fruit such as apples and kiwifruit which can result in the fruit being rejected for export. [12] This species can be controlled by insecticide sprays. [13] P. excessana is also parasitised by Ancistrocerus gazella, a solitary wasp accidentally introduced to New Zealand. [14] It has been proposed that A. gazella be used as a biological control of P. excessana to reduce the impact that the moth has on commercial agricultural crops and also to assist with the reduced use of insecticides. [14]

P. excessana has been intercepted at United States ports on vegetation sourced from New Zealand. [9]

Related Research Articles

<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>Trigonospila brevifacies</i> Species of fly

Trigonospila brevifacies is a species of true fly in the family Tachinidae native to eastern Australia. This species is also found in New Zealand. Like the vast majority of tachinid flies, T. brevifacies is a parasitoid of other insects, specifically late larval stages of a number of species of Lepidoptera. It is also known as the Australian Leaf-Roller Fly or Leafroller Fly.

<i>Izatha balanophora</i> Species of moth

Izatha balanophora is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is widespread in the North Island. Larvae live off the dead bark of kānuka. The adult moths are on the wing during December to March.

<i>Planotortrix octo</i> Species of moth

Planotortrix octo is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found in both the North and South islands.

<i>Wiseana cervinata</i> Species of moth

Wiseana cervinata, a porina moth, is a species of moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1865 and is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Homodotis megaspilata</i> Species of moth

Homodotis megaspilata, also known as the small hooked-tip looper moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. It is regarded as being common species. The preferred habitat of this species is native forest, scrub, coastal areas and domestic gardens. Larvae feed on the dead leaves of Geniostoma ligustrifolium and likely other native plants. Once mature the larvae will pupate on the ground forming a silken cocoon protected by hiding inside two leaves of its host plant. Adults are nocturnal and are on the wing from October to April. They are attracted to light. In appearance the adults of this species are extremely variable but can be distinguished from similar species as all variations have forewings with blunt hook shaped tips.

Leucotenes coprosmae is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is found in New Zealand, where it has been recorded from the North and South islands, as well as Stewart Island.

Planotortrix avicenniae is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the North Island and its larvae feed on mangrove trees.

<i>Planotortrix flammea</i> Species of moth

Planotortrix flammea is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Planotortrix puffini is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Specimens have been collected from Lee Bay in Stewart Island.

<i>Planotortrix notophaea</i> Species of moth

Planotortrix notophaea, the blacklegged leafroller, is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was also present near Sydney in Australia, but this population is thought to be extinct.

<i>Apoctena orthocopa</i> Species of moth

Apoctena orthocopa, also known as striped ponga leaf-tyer, is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found only on the North Island.

<i>Apoctena persecta</i> Species of moth

Apoctena persecta is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is found in New Zealand, where it is found only on the South Island.

<i>Apoctena taipana</i> Species of moth

Apoctena taipana is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. The larvae created a silken tube in which they hide and also use to travel from leaf to leaf. They tunnel into the leaves of their host. Larvae can be found from June to August. Adult moths can be seen on the wing from October to January.

<i>Apoctena tigris</i> Species of moth

Apoctena tigris is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found on both the North and South islands.

<i>Ericodesma cuneata</i> Species of moth

Ericodesma cuneata, the Corokia leafroller moth, is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

<i>Notoreas arcuata</i> Species of moth

Notoreas arcuata is a species of geometer moth endemic to New Zealand. This species if found in the South Island and has been observed in the Saint Arnaud Range, around Arthur's Pass and in the Oteake Conservation Park. Larvae feed on species in the genera Kelleria and Pimelea. Adults are on the wing from December to February.

<i>Notoreas isoleuca</i> Species of moth

Notoreas isoleuca is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Notoreas isomoera</i> Species of moth

Notoreas isomoera is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Physetica homoscia</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica homoscia is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout New Zealand including in the Auckland Islands. This species inhabits places where its host plants are common and this includes costal dune habitat. It lives at a wide range of altitudes from sea-level up to at least 1750 m. The larvae of P. homoscia feed on Ozothamnus leptophyllus and Ozothamnus vauvilliersii. They are very active and drop to the ground when disturbed. Larvae are parasitised by a species of fly. This species pupates in the soil and the pupa life stage lasts for approximately 6 weeks. The adult moths are on the wing from September to June and are attracted to light. The adults of P. homoscia might possibly be confused with Ichneutica moderata however this latter species lacks the small white dots on the forewing veins of P. homoscia. Adults might also be confused with P. temperata but P. homoscia is significantly larger in size.

References

  1. 1 2 "Planotortrix excessana (Walker, 1863)". www.nzor.org.nz. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  2. ↑ Walker, Francis (1863). "Part XXVIII. Tortricites and Tineites". List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. 28: 287–561 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. 1 2 3 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 125. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019– via Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.
  4. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1883). "Descriptions of New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 15: 3–33, 33–68 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 230. OCLC   25449322.
  6. 1 2 3 Dugdale, J.S. (July 1990). "Reassessment of Ctenopseustis Meyrick and Planotortrix Dugdale with descriptions of two new genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 17 (3): 437–465. doi:10.1080/03014223.1990.10422943. ISSN   0301-4223. S2CID   83617290.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Gilligan, Todd M.; Epstein, Marc E. "Planotortrix excessana". idtools.org. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  8. ↑ Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 464. ISBN   978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC   973607714. OL   25288394M. Wikidata   Q45922947.
  9. 1 2 "Tortrix excessana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)" (PDF). gd.eppo.int. 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Greenheaded leafroller, Blacklegged leafroller and Light Brown Apple Moth". Farm Forestry New Zealand. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "Planotortrix excessana (Walker, 1863) Herbivore report". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  12. ↑ Hobson, Judith M.; Singh, Pritam (January 1987). "Laboratory colonisation of Planotortrix excessana on artificial diet". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 14 (1): 81–83. doi: 10.1080/03014223.1987.10422683 . ISSN   0301-4223.
  13. ↑ Suckling, D. M.; Chapman, R. B.; Penman, D. R. (January 1986). "Toxicity of insecticides to Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) and Planotortrix excessana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)". New Zealand Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 14 (1): 89–95. doi: 10.1080/03015521.1986.10426130 . ISSN   0301-5521.
  14. 1 2 Harris, A. C. (September 1994). "Ancistrocerus gazella (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea: Eumenidae): A potentially useful biological control agent for leafrollers Planotortrix octo, P. excessana, Ctenopseustis obliquana, C. herana , and Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science. 22 (3): 235–238. doi: 10.1080/01140671.1994.9513832 . ISSN   0114-0671.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.