Amorbia emigratella

Distinguished from similar tortricid species by the combination of sexual size dimorphism (male forewings 8–11 mm, female forewings 11.5–12 mm) and its documented geographic distribution. Specific diagnostic morphological features for field identification are not detailed in available literature.

Forewing length 8–11 mm in males, 11.5–12 mm in females. As a tortricid moth, adults likely have the characteristic bell-shaped wing posture at rest, though specific coloration and pattern details are not provided in available sources.

Found in agricultural, horticultural, and natural environments supporting its diverse host plants. In Hawaii, occurs across multiple islands in varied elevations and vegetation types.

Native to southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Introduced and established in Hawaii (Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii Island).

Multiple generations per year; continuous breeding likely in tropical and subtropical climates where host plants remain available.

Larvae are highly polyphagous, feeding on at least 32 documented plant species across numerous families. Recorded hosts include: Acacia koaia, Arachis hypogaea (peanut), Brassica oleracea (cabbage), Carica papaya (papaya), Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Gossypium (cotton), Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato), Macadamia, Persea americana (avocado), Phaseolus (beans), Psidium guajava (guava), Rosa (rose), Rubus (blackberry/raspberry), Solanum melongena (eggplant), Solanum tuberosum (potato), Theobroma cacao (cacao), Zea mays (corn), and various orchids, among others.

• Acacia koaia - larval hostnative Hawaiian host
• Arachis hypogaea - larval hostpeanut
• Brassica oleracea - larval hostcabbage and related crops
• Carica papaya - larval hostpapaya
• Citrus sinensis - larval hostsweet orange
• Gossypium - larval hostcotton
• Ipomoea batatas - larval hostsweet potato
• Lycopersicon esculentum - larval hosttomato
• Macadamia - larval hostmacadamia nut
• Persea americana - larval hostavocado
• Phaseolus - larval hostbeans
• Psidium guajava - larval hostguava
• Rosa - larval hostrose
• Rubus - larval hostblackberry, raspberry
• Solanum melongena - larval hosteggplant
• Solanum tuberosum - larval hostpotato
• Theobroma cacao - larval hostcacao
• Zea mays - larval hostcorn
• Orchidaceae - larval hostorchid family

Complete metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Pupal stage lasts approximately 10 days. Multiple generations occur annually. Larvae are the active feeding stage and are responsible for the 'leaf-roller' common name, suggesting they roll or tie leaves for shelter.

Larvae construct leaf rolls or ties using silk, typical of tortricid leaf-roller moths. This behavior provides protection during feeding and development.

Herbivore and agricultural pest. Polyphagous larval feeding can impact native plants (e.g., Acacia koaia, Rubus hawaiiensis in Hawaii) and numerous crop species.

Significant agricultural pest in Hawaii and potentially elsewhere, affecting diverse crops including citrus, avocado, coffee relatives (cacao), nuts (macadamia), vegetables, and ornamentals. The broad host range makes it economically important across multiple agricultural sectors.

• Amorbia humerosanaCongeneric species in the same genus, potentially overlapping in distribution and host use; specific distinguishing features require specialist examination
• Other Tortricidae leaf-rollersSimilar larval behavior of leaf-rolling; identification to species level requires adult morphological examination or molecular methods

• agricultural pest
• polyphagous
• leaf-roller
• introduced species
• Hawaii
• tortricidae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life