Acleris
Hübner, [1825]
Acleris is a large of tortrix in the , containing approximately 241 as of 2007. The genus includes several economically significant forest pests, notably the black-headed budworm complex (A. gloverana-variana), which causes periodic in North coniferous forests. Some species are also agricultural pests, such as A. comariana on . The genus has a Holarctic distribution with records from North America, Europe, and Asia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Acleris: //əˈklɛrɪs//
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Habitat
Coniferous forests for forest-dwelling such as A. gloverana and A. variana; agricultural and horticultural environments for such as A. comariana.
Distribution
Holarctic distribution including North America (Canada and northern United States), Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), and Asia. Specific distributions vary: A. gloverana occurs from Alaska and western Canada to California, Colorado, and Wyoming; A. variana ranges across eastern and central Canada to the northeastern United States.
Diet
Larval feeding habits vary by . A. gloverana and A. variana feed on conifers including Abies, Larix, Picea, Pseudotsuga, and Tsuga, with geographic variation in preference. A. comariana feeds on (Fragaria).
Host Associations
- Abies - larval preferred in eastern areas for A. gloverana-variana complex
- Larix - larval
- Picea - larval most often utilized in southern Ontario for A. gloverana-variana complex
- Pseudotsuga - larval
- Tsuga - larval Tsuga heterophylla preferred in coastal British Columbia for A. gloverana-variana complex
- Fragaria - larval of A. comariana
Behavior
Some exhibit dynamics with occasional explosions causing extensive . has been investigated as a management strategy for A. comariana.
Ecological Role
Defoliator of coniferous forests; resident with periodic phases that significantly impact forest health. Some species function as agricultural pests.
Human Relevance
Several are economically significant pests. The black-headed budworm complex (A. gloverana-variana) is a serious and recurrent defoliator of coniferous forests in British Columbia, Washington, and other regions, causing timber losses and forest management challenges. A. comariana is a pest of . trials have been conducted for A. comariana management.
More Details
Species diversity
As of 2007, approximately 241 were recognized in the , making it one of the larger genera in .
Genomic resources
sequences have been published for Acleris ferrugana (Tawny Oak Tortrix) and Acleris laterana (Dark-triangle Button ).
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Acleris gloverana . [Distribution map].
- Acleris variana . [Distribution map].
- Taxonomic Studies on the Acleris gloverana-variana Complex, the Black-headed Budworms (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
- The genome sequence of the Tawny Oak Tortrix, Acleris ferrugana (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).
- The genome sequence of the Dark-triangle Button moth, Acleris laterana (Fabricius, 1794).
- Induced allopatry as main mechanism explaining trap catch reduction in low dose mating disruption trials on the strawberry pest Acleris comariana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).