Tortricoidea

Latreille, 1803

Tortricid Leafroller Moths and Allies

Family Guides

1

is a superfamily of Lepidoptera containing the single Tortricidae, commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths. This is one of the largest superfamilies of , with over 10,350 described . Members are characterized by their typical resting posture with wings folded back, producing a rounded profile. Many species are economically important agricultural and forestry pests.

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tortricoidea: //tɔrˌtrɪkoʊˈɪdiə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

rest with wings folded tightly over the , creating a distinctive bell-shaped or rounded silhouette. The forewings are typically broad and somewhat rectangular, often with banded or mottled patterns. Hindwings are membranous and narrower, folded beneath the forewings at rest. are . Larvae are often concealed within rolled or tied leaves, or bore into fruits, seeds, or buds.

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Habitat

Found in diverse terrestrial including forests, orchards, agricultural fields, and gardens. Many are associated with woody plants, particularly conifers and deciduous trees.

Distribution

distribution with occurring worldwide. The Tortricidae alone has been documented from India (487 species), Europe, North America, and the Murcia Region of Spain (107 species), among other regions.

Diet

Larvae feed on a wide variety of plant materials including leaves, fruits, seeds, buds, and shoots of numerous plant . Many are on particular plants. Specific dietary preferences vary extensively among species.

Life Cycle

Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Larval development typically occurs within protected microhabitats such as rolled leaves, tied foliage, or bored plant tissues. Some overwinter as larvae, others as eggs. Voltinism (number of per year) varies by species and climate, with , , and multivoltine species documented.

Behavior

Larvae are the primary feeding stage and often construct shelters by rolling or tying leaves with silk. Many are known as "leafrollers" due to this . are typically and attracted to light.

Ecological Role

Larvae function as herbivores, with many acting as significant defoliators of trees and shrubs. They serve as for diverse complexes including ichneumonid wasps, braconid wasps, and other parasitic insects. Some species are considered keystone pests in forest and agricultural .

Human Relevance

Many are major agricultural and forestry pests causing substantial economic damage to crops including apples, pears, stone fruits, berries, and conifer forests. The superfamily includes notable pests such as codling moth and various budmoths. Some species have been targets for programs.

Similar Taxa

  • PyraloideaBoth are large superfamilies of with diverse larval feeding habits; can be distinguished by the characteristic resting posture with wings folded tightly back creating a rounded profile, versus the more triangular wing posture typical of many pyraloids.
  • CossoideaSome wood-boring larvae may appear similar; of are generally smaller with more rounded wing profiles and lack the elongated bodies of many cossoid .

Sources and further reading