Ancylis uncella

(Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)

Bridge Roller

Ancylis uncella is a small tortricid with a Holarctic distribution spanning the Palearctic region and North America. First described from the Vienna area in 1775, it has been recorded across Europe and was recently confirmed from China. The is distinguished by reddish-brown forewings with grey spots and light costal lines. Larvae feed on birch and heather.

Ancylis uncella-Salzburg, Alpenvorland, Bürmoos-E-MK-26773a by Michael Kurz. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 at license.

Ancylis uncella (40362859625) by Ilia Ustyantsev from Russia. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Ancylis uncella (41258601291) by Ilia Ustyantsev from Russia. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ancylis uncella: /ˈæŋsɪlɪs ʌnˈsɛlə/

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

Identification

Distinguished from similar Ancylis by combination of reddish-brown forewing ground colour with paired grey spots and short light costal lines. Distinguished from A. unguicella, the other Holarctic member of the species group, by genitalic characters and barcodes. A. carbonana has been synonymized with A. uncella based on morphological and molecular data.

Images

Appearance

Small with wingspan 15–20 mm. Forewings reddish-brown ground colour with two grey spots and short, light costal lines. Hindwings pale brown.

Habitat

Associated with plants Betula spp. and Calluna vulgaris; specific type not documented in available sources.

Distribution

Holarctic distribution confirmed: native to most of the Palearctic including Europe, with first record from China (Heilongjiang), and present in North America. GBIF records confirm presence in Belgium.

Seasonality

period May–June.

Diet

Larvae feed on Betula spp. (birch) and Calluna vulgaris (common heather). feeding habits not documented.

Host Associations

Betula - larval food plantbirch
Calluna vulgaris - larval food plantcommon heather

Life Cycle

Complete with larval stage feeding on plants. Specific details of , pupal stages and strategy not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

Herbivore in larval stage; specific functions not documented.

Human Relevance

Minor potential significance as a defoliator of birch and heather; no major economic or cultural importance documented.

Similar Taxa

Ancylis unguicellaOther Holarctic in the A. unguicella group; distinguished by genitalic characters and barcodes
Ancylis geminana group speciesPreviously confused with A. uncella in taxonomic treatments; none are Holarctic, allowing geographic separation where ranges overlap
Ancylis carbonanaSynonymized with A. uncella; previously treated as separate

More Details

Taxonomic History

Originally described as Tortrix uncella by Denis & Schiffermüller in 1775. Ancylis carbonana Heinrich was synonymized with A. uncella in a 2016 revision based on barcode and morphological data.

Holarctic Confirmation

2016 molecular study confirmed A. uncella as one of only two Holarctic in the A. unguicella species group, resolving previous taxonomic confusion between European and North American .