Grapholitini

Guenée, 1845

Grapholitine moths, Leafroller moth tribe

Genus Guides

Grapholitini is a tribe of tortricid moths comprising approximately 1200 described . The tribe contains numerous economically significant agricultural pests that damage fruits and seeds. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have resolved the tribe into two major lineages—a Dichrorampha clade and a Cydia clade—with the Grapholita found to be polyphyletic. The tribe likely originated in the Nearctic, Afrotropical and Neotropical regions during the middle Eocene (ca. 44.3 Ma).

Dichrorampha by (c) Barry Walter, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Barry Walter. Used under a CC-BY license.

Grapholita fana by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.

Grapholita edwardsiana by (c) Rajan Rao, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rajan Rao. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Grapholitini: /ɡræfəˈlaɪtɪnaɪ/

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

Images

Habitat

Members occur across diverse from lowland to montane regions, with Neotropical collected at altitudes ranging from 5 to 1100 m. Specific microhabitat preferences vary by and species.

Distribution

distribution including Nearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Palearctic, Oriental and Australian regions. Documented from North America (Florida to Brazil), Africa, Australia (northern Queensland, Atherton Tableland), Rica, and Europe.

Diet

Larvae of many are internal feeders in fruits and seeds. Fabaceae-feeding represents the ancestral plant association for the tribe, with most groups originating from monophagous or oligophagous ancestors on this .

Host Associations

Acacia mangium - of Cryptophlebia caulicola in northern Queensland
Acronychia spp. - native Rutaceae; native of Thaumatotibia zophophanes
Macadamia - pest Proteaceae; damaged by Thaumatotibia zophophanes on Atherton Tableland
Avocado - pest Lauraceae; damaged by Thaumatotibia zophophanes
Castanea sativa - pest Fagaceae; chestnut fruits damaged by Pammene and Cydia in Italy
Fabaceae - ancestral Ancestral for tribe-wide diversification

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa and stages. Larval development occurs internally within tissues for many . Specific developmental details vary considerably among and remain undocumented for most species.

Behavior

Larvae of numerous exhibit internal feeding , tunneling within fruits, seeds and twigs. Some species are documented as borers in woody plant tissues. are frequently collected at light.

Ecological Role

Significant agricultural pests causing damage to fruit and nut crops. Larval feeding reduces nut quality and commercial value in chestnut, macadamia and avocado production. Some serve as native herbivores on wild plants.

Human Relevance

Contains multiple economically important pest affecting cultivated fruits and nuts. Notable pests include Thaumatotibia zophophanes (macadamia and avocado pest in Australia), Pammene fasciana and related species (chestnut pests in Europe), and various Cydia species. Damage occurs through larval tunneling in fruits and seeds, reducing crop quality and yield.

Similar Taxa

TortriciniAnother tribe within Tortricidae; Grapholitini distinguished by molecular phylogenetic position within Olethreutinae and characteristic larval feeding habits in fruits and seeds
LarisaFormerly assigned to Grapholitini but excluded based on molecular phylogenetic analysis; not a true member of the tribe
CorticivoraFormerly assigned to Grapholitini but excluded based on molecular phylogenetic analysis; not a true member of the tribe

More Details

Phylogenetic revision

The Grapholita was found to be polyphyletic and has been split into three genera: Grapholita (sensu stricto), Aspila (formerly a subgenus), and Ephippiphora (formerly a synonym).

Host plant evolution

Biogeographical and ancestral state reconstruction analyses indicate that plant shifts, particularly from Fabaceae to other , have promoted diversification within the tribe.