Aphelia alleniana
(Fernald, 1882)
wide-striped leafroller, Allen's tortrix moth
Aphelia alleniana is a to northern North America, ranging from Alaska across Canada to parts of the western and northeastern United States. are active in late June to mid-July, with feeding on herbaceous and while constructing characteristic leaf-roll shelters. The overwinters as a third- larva and completes a single per year.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Aphelia alleniana: /əˈfiːliə əˌlɛniˈɑːnə/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar by the combination of light with fine darker , the specific wingspan range of 21–27 mm, and its northern North distribution. The "wide-striped " refers to the larval dark stripe, though this feature is shared with other leafroller and is not diagnostic for the itself.
Images
Distribution
to northern North America. Recorded throughout Canada including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan; extends north to Alaska. In the United States, documented from Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Montana, and Vermont.
Seasonality
active from late June to mid-July. , with one per year.
Diet
feed on herbaceous plants, with additional feeding observed on deciduous and coniferous .
Host Associations
- herbaceous plants - larval primary
- deciduous woody plants - larval secondary
- coniferous woody plants - larval secondary
Life Cycle
. laid in summer; develop through five , as third instars within folded leaves. Overwintering larvae resume feeding in spring, then pupate within their larval shelter. emerge in late June to mid-July.
Behavior
construct leaf rolls using to tie or roll leaves together, creating shelters for feeding and protection from and weather. occurs within the larval shelter.
Ecological Role
Larval creates microhabitats that may be used by other small ; function as in forest and meadow .
Human Relevance
No documented economic or agricultural significance. Occasionally encountered by naturalists and enthusiasts.
Similar Taxa
- Other Aphelia speciesAphelia is predominantly Palearctic; A. alleniana is one of few Nearctic representatives, distinguished by distribution and male .
- Other Tortricinae leafrollersShare larval and general ; identification requires examination of or larval and geographic data.
More Details
Subspecies
Two recognized: A. a. alleniana (Fernald, 1882) and A. a. rindgeorum Obraztsov, 1959.
Taxonomic history
Originally described as Tortrix alleniana by Charles Henry Fernald in 1882; later transferred to Aphelia, which was established by Jacob in 1825.