Hystrichophora vestaliana

(Zeller, 1875)

A small tortricid in the leafroller Tortricidae. The is documented from prairie and grassland in western North America, with records from Colorado, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. are attracted to light. The name refers to bristly or hairy features, a characteristic trait of Hystrichophora species.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hystrichophora vestaliana: /hɪˌstrɪkəˈfɔːrə vɛˌstalɪˈænə/

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

Identification

Small , likely with bristly or hairy leg scaling characteristic of the Hystrichophora. Distinguished from other tortricid genera by the presence of prominent setae or bristles on the legs. Similar in size to other small Olethreutinae; specific wing pattern details for -level identification require examination of specimens or reference to specialized tortricid literature.

Habitat

Prairie and grassland . Documented from locations with cottonwood groves and nearby wetlands within heavily grazed prairie landscapes.

Distribution

North America: recorded from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada; present in Colorado, USA.

Seasonality

active in July based on observation records from Colorado.

Behavior

attracted to artificial light sources at night.

Similar Taxa

  • Hystrichophora sp.Other congeneric share the bristly leg characteristic; species-level identification requires detailed examination
  • Clepsis peritanaSimilar small tortricid found in same ; lacks the prominent bristly leg scaling of Hystrichophora
  • Other OlethreutinaeSimilar size and general appearance; distinguished by leg and genitalia characteristics

Sources and further reading