Archips grisea

(Robinson, 1869)

Gray Archips Moth, Black Shield Leafroller

Archips grisea is a small tortricid with a wingspan of 18–22 mm, found across central and eastern North America. Larvae feed on hickory (Carya), rolling or tying leaves for shelter. are active during summer months. The species is also known as the black shield leafroller, referring to larval feeding damage.

Archips grisea by (c) David Dodd, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Dodd. Used under a CC-BY license.

Archips grisea P1610900a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Archips grisea P1190990a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Archips grisea: //ˈɑːrkɪps ˈɡrɪsiə//

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

Identification

Small gray tortricid with 18–22 mm wingspan. Distinguished from similar Archips by genitalia and subtle wing pattern differences; accurate identification typically requires dissection and comparison with reference specimens. Larval association with Carya (hickory) may aid in identification where plants are known.

Images

Habitat

Deciduous woodlands and forests containing hickory (Carya) . Larval is within rolled or tied leaves of plants.

Distribution

North America: recorded from Alabama, Illinois, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Ontario, Tennessee, and Texas. The distribution corresponds to the range of its hickory plants in eastern and central North America.

Seasonality

active during summer months (June–August based on regional records). Larval feeding occurs during spring and early summer.

Diet

Larvae feed on Carya (hickories). Specific records include Carya, though exact species within the are not detailed in available sources.

Host Associations

Carya - larval food planthickory

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Larvae are leafrollers, constructing shelters by rolling or tying leaves of plants. occurs within the larval shelter or in leaf litter. Adults emerge in summer.

Behavior

Larvae exhibit leaf-rolling , constructing silk-tied leaf shelters for feeding and protection. are and attracted to light.

Ecological Role

Herbivore: larval feeding on hickory foliage. Serves as prey for and other natural enemies. Contributes to nutrient cycling through herbivory and as food source for higher .

Human Relevance

Minor economic significance as a leafroller pest on hickory. The 'black shield leafroller' refers to the characteristic feeding damage visible on leaves. No major pest status reported.

Similar Taxa

Archips purpuranaSimilar size, coloration, and leafroller lifestyle; may co-occur on overlapping plants. Distinguished by genitalia and subtle wing pattern differences.
Other Archips speciesNumerous share gray coloration and leafroller . Accurate identification requires genitalia examination and reference to taxonomic keys.

More Details

Taxonomic note

Originally described as Tortrix grisea by Robinson in 1869, later transferred to Archips. The epithet 'grisea' refers to the gray coloration.

Observation frequency

As of source date, iNaturalist records 2,585 observations, indicating the is relatively frequently encountered within its range.