Clepsis persicana

(Fitch, 1856)

white triangle tortrix, green needleworm

Clepsis persicana is a tortricid found across North America from Alaska and British Columbia to Newfoundland, south to Virginia, and west to California. are active from June to August, with one per year. The is notable for its broad plant range, with larvae feeding on both deciduous and coniferous trees.

Clepsis persicana 01 by CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Used under a CC0 license.Clepsis persicana 02 by CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Used under a CC0 license.Clepsis persicana 03 by CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Clepsis persicana: /ˈklɛp.sɪs pɜrˈsɪ.kə.nə/

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

Identification

Distinguished from similar Clepsis by the pale termen contrasting with darker purplish forewing coloration. The combination of orange basal forewing color with dark purplish area and pale termen is diagnostic. Larvae are recognized by their slender, active habit, yellow , and greyish body stripes.

Images

Appearance

Forewings measure 8.5–10.5 mm in males and 10–11 mm in females. Forewings are orange basally, becoming darker and purplish toward the termen, which is pale. Larvae are slender and very active, with a yellow and wide, indistinct greyish stripes on the body; body color is yellowish-green or greyish-green with a yellowish-brown head.

Habitat

Coniferous and mixed coniferous forests.

Distribution

North America: Alaska and British Columbia east to Newfoundland, south to Virginia, and west to California. Canadian provincial records include Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Seasonality

on wing June to August in one per year. Larvae present from April to June; in Ontario, collected in late May and June.

Diet

Larvae feed on a wide range of deciduous and coniferous trees including: Acer (including A. negundo), Alnus (including A. viridis, A. incana), Betula (including B. papyrifera, B. nana), Abies (including A. balsamea, A. concolor, A. lasiocarpa), Picea (including P. glauca, P. engelmannii), Pinus (including P. banksiana), Pseudotsuga (including P. menziesii), Larix (L. occidentalis), Populus (including P. tremuloides, P. balsamifera), plus Osmorhiza, Solidago, Corylus, Cornus canadensis, Rhododendron canadense, Vaccinium, Frasera (including F. fastigiata), Ribes, Maianthemum canadense, Comptonia peregrina, Fraxinus, Ceanothus, Malus pumila, Prunus (including P. virginiana, P. persica), Rosa, Rubus, Salix, and Ulmus.

Life Cycle

Overwinters as a mid-instar larva. occurs under bark of plant or among fallen leaves at base of tree. One per year.

Behavior

Young larvae lower themselves on silk threads to search for abandoned shelters of other Tortricidae . If no shelter is found, they feed on cover plants on the ground. Larvae web leaves of plants and feed in the calyx.

Ecological Role

Leafroller that contributes to nutrient cycling through herbivory on diverse tree . Larval shelter-seeking may facilitate commensal or competitive interactions with other tortricid species.

Human Relevance

Not considered an economically significant pest; control measures have not been needed.

Similar Taxa

  • Clepsis peritanaGarden tortrix, distinguished by different forewing pattern and preferences; C. persicana has distinctive pale termen and broader conifer host range.

Tags

Sources and further reading