Leafroller
Guides
Pandemis
Leafroller moths
Pandemis is a genus of tortricid moths in the tribe Archipini, commonly known as leafroller moths. The genus comprises approximately 60 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with particular diversity in Eurasia. Several species are recognized as agricultural pests, notably Pandemis cerasana (barred fruit-tree tortrix) and Pandemis pyrusana (Pandemis leafroller), which damage fruit trees and other woody plants. Larvae typically feed on leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs, often rolling or folding leaves for shelter.
Pandemis lamprosana
Woodgrain Leafroller Moth
Pandemis lamprosana, known as the woodgrain leafroller moth, is a tortricid moth native to northeastern North America. Adults are active in late summer with a single annual generation. The species is recognized by its forewing pattern and moderate size. Larvae are polyphagous leaf feeders on numerous deciduous tree species.
Pandemis pyrusana
apple pandemis, pandemis leafroller moth
Pandemis pyrusana is a tortricid moth native to western North America, commonly known as the apple pandemis or pandemis leafroller moth. It is a significant pest of deciduous fruit trees and ornamental plants, with larvae feeding on leaves by rolling and tying them together. The species has one or two generations per year depending on location, with adults active in late spring and again in autumn in coastal California.
Pantographa limata
Basswood Leafroller Moth
Pantographa limata, commonly known as the basswood leafroller moth, is a crambid moth native to eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 38 mm. The larvae are leafrollers that feed on Tilia species, constructing shelters by rolling host plant leaves.
Paralobesia aemulana
Paralobesia aemulana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It was described by Heinrich in 1926. The genus Paralobesia includes several species associated with plants, notably P. viteana (grape berry moth), a significant agricultural pest. Specific biological details for P. aemulana remain poorly documented in available literature.
Platynota blanchardi
Platynota blanchardi is a small tortricid moth species described in 2012. It is known only from the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and Texas. The species has a wingspan of 19–20 mm. Like other members of the genus Platynota, it is likely a leafroller caterpillar in its larval stage, though specific host plant associations remain undocumented.
Platynota exasperatana-complex
Platynota exasperatana-complex is a species complex within the tortricid moth genus Platynota, comprising closely related species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Members of this complex are leafroller moths whose larvae feed on various plant hosts and are known agricultural pests. The complex is part of the diverse Tortricidae family, which includes many economically significant species.
Platynota nigrocervina
Platynota nigrocervina is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae. The species occurs in the south-central and southeastern United States, with records from Texas and Oklahoma eastward to Florida and north to Michigan. Larvae of the genus Platynota are leafrollers that feed on various plants; P. nigrocervina has been documented as prey for the mason wasp Monobia quadridens, which provisions its nests with paralyzed caterpillars.
Platynota rostrana
Omnivorous Platynota Moth
Platynota rostrana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 13–17 mm, distributed across the Americas from the United States through Central America to South America, with established populations in the West Indies and occasional records in Europe via accidental importation. The species is known to be a pest of citrus and other crops, with larvae that feed on a variety of plant materials.
Platynota stultana
Omnivorous Leafroller, Omnivorous Leafroller Moth
Platynota stultana, the omnivorous leafroller, is a highly polyphagous tortricid moth native to northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It has become an established invasive pest in Hawaii, Spain, Italy, and multiple other European countries. Adults are small with wingspans around 14 mm and are active year-round in warm climates. The species completes four to six generations annually in California and produces severe economic damage in vineyards, greenhouses, and nursery operations. Larval feeding on grape berries causes skin breakage that leads to fungal rot and crop losses up to 80%.
Platynota wenzelana
Platynota wenzelana is a small tortricid moth found in the southwestern United States. The species was described by Haimbach in 1915. Adults have a wingspan of 20–24 mm. Like other members of the genus Platynota, the larvae are likely leafrollers, though specific host plant associations for this species have not been documented. The species is poorly studied compared to related taxa such as P. stultana, which is a significant agricultural pest.
Platynota zapatana
Platynota zapatana is a species of tortricid moth described by Powell & Brown in 2012. It belongs to the diverse leafroller moth genus Platynota, whose larvae are known to feed on various plants. The species occurs in the southern United States and northern Mexico, representing a relatively recently described member of this economically significant moth family.
Pococera maritimalis
Gray-banded Pococera Moth
Pococera maritimalis is a species of pyralid moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. It was described by McDunnough in 1939. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 5603. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are known to feed on tree foliage, particularly as leafrollers.
Pococera subcanalis
Cloaked Pococera Moth
Pococera subcanalis, known as the Cloaked Pococera Moth, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1863. It belongs to a genus whose larvae include leaf-rolling caterpillars, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented. The common name suggests a cryptic or concealing wing pattern.
Pseudexentera faracana
American Chestnut Leafroller
Pseudexentera faracana is a tortricid moth commonly known as the American Chestnut Leafroller. The species is native to eastern North America and has been documented in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont. As its common name suggests, it has been associated with American chestnut (Castanea dentata), though detailed ecological relationships remain poorly documented. The species was first described by Kearfott in 1907 under the basionym Proteopteryx faracana.
Pseudexentera habrosana
Pseudexentera habrosana is a small tortricid moth described by Heinrich in 1923, originally placed in the genus Exentera. It belongs to the tribe Eucosmini, a group of leafroller moths whose larvae often feed within plant tissues. Published records for this species are sparse, and its biology remains poorly documented.
Pseudexentera mali
pale apple leafroller, pale apple budworm
Pseudexentera mali is a tortricid moth species commonly known as the pale apple leafroller or pale apple budworm. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and was described by Freeman in 1942. The species is an early-season flier and is considered economically important as a pest of apple (Malus). Males are attracted to the sex pheromone component Z,Z-8,10-16:Ac. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 3247.
Pseudexentera spoliana
bare-patched leafroller moth
Pseudexentera spoliana, commonly known as the bare-patched leafroller moth, is a tortricid moth species found in eastern North America. The species is an economically important defoliator of oak trees (Quercus spp.), with larvae feeding on oak foliage. Adult moths are small, with a wingspan of approximately 19 mm. Mating is mediated by a species-specific sex pheromone system, with males attracted to (Z)-10-hexadecenyl acetate (Z10-16:Ac).
Pseudosciaphila duplex
Poplar Leafroller Moth, Aspen Leaftier, Spotted Aspen Leafroller
Pseudosciaphila duplex is a tortricid moth native to North America, commonly known as the poplar leafroller moth or aspen leaftier. Adults are active during summer months and possess a wingspan of 20–25 mm. The species is notable for its larval association with deciduous trees in the genera Populus, Betula, and Salix, where larvae feed on leaves.
Sciota basilaris
Yellow-shouldered Leafroller
A small moth in the family Pyralidae, commonly known as the Yellow-shouldered Leafroller. The species occurs in North America, with records from the northern United States and central Canada. Larvae are known to feed on sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and other plants, rolling leaves for shelter. The species is of minor economic significance as a leafroller pest.
Sciota celtidella
Hackberry Leafroller Moth
Sciota celtidella, commonly known as the Hackberry Leafroller Moth, is a small pyralid moth in the subfamily Phycitinae. The species is known to occur in eastern North America and is associated with hackberry (Celtis) host plants. Larvae are leafrollers that feed on hackberry foliage, constructing shelters by rolling or tying leaves together.
Sciota dammersi
leadplant webworm
Sciota dammersi, commonly known as the leadplant webworm, is a species of moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It is one of several leafroller species in the genus Sciota, which are known to serve as prey for the Four-toothed Mason Wasp (Monobia quadridens). The species name honors entomologist Charles Dammers. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, suggesting it may be uncommon, locally distributed, or underreported.
Sciota levigatella
Sciota levigatella is a species of moth in the family Pyralidae, genus Sciota. Little specific information is documented about this species. The genus Sciota includes leafroller moths, and based on the ecology of related species, S. levigatella likely has larvae that feed within rolled or folded leaves of host plants. The species has been recorded in iNaturalist with 7 observations, indicating it is documented but not well-studied.
Sciota rubescentella
Sciota rubescentella is a small moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The genus Sciota includes several leafroller species, with larvae that feed on various tree species. This species is part of a group of moths whose caterpillars are known prey for the Four-toothed Mason Wasp (Monobia quadridens), which hunts them to provision its nest cells.
Sciota rubrisparsella
Sciota rubrisparsella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The genus Sciota includes several leafroller moths whose larvae feed on various hardwood trees. This species is known to be preyed upon by the mason wasp Monobia quadridens, which hunts its caterpillars as food for its own larvae.
Sciota subcaesiella
Locust Leafroller Moth
Sciota subcaesiella, commonly known as the locust leafroller moth, is a species of pyralid moth found across eastern and central North America. The larvae feed on various Robinia species, particularly black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and related locust trees. The species is recognized as a leafroller, with larvae that roll or fold leaves to create sheltered feeding sites.
Sciota uvinella
sweetgum leafroller moth
Sciota uvinella is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, commonly known as the sweetgum leafroller moth. The species was described by Ragonot in 1887 and occurs in eastern North America. Its common name derives from the larval habit of rolling or folding leaves of its host plant, sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). The species is notable as a primary prey item for the four-toothed mason wasp, Monobia quadridens, which paralyzes the caterpillars to provision its nest cells.
Sciota virgatella
Black-spotted Leafroller Moth
Sciota virgatella, known as the black-spotted leafroller moth, is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae. First described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860, it occurs widely across eastern and central North America. The species is active throughout much of the year, with adults recorded from February through September. Its common name references the larval habit of rolling or folding leaves.
Sparganothis violaceana
Sparganothis violaceana is a small tortricid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults are active in late spring, with a wingspan of 16–21 mm. The species is associated with Vaccinium host plants, placing it among the complex of insects that interact with blueberry and cranberry ecosystems. The genus Sparganothis includes several economically significant fruitworm species, though the specific agricultural impact of S. violaceana remains poorly documented compared to congeners like S. fruitworma.
Strepsicrates
Strepsicrates is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, tribe Eucosmini, established by Meyrick in 1888. Species within this genus are distributed across multiple continents including Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Africa. Several species are economically significant as pests of forestry and agricultural crops, particularly those feeding on Eucalyptus, Cordia, and Myrica species. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with some species historically transferred between Strepsicrates and the related genus Stictea.
Tortricidae
tortrix moths, leafroller moths, tortricid moths
Tortricidae is a large family of small moths with over 11,000 described species, constituting the sole member of the superfamily Tortricoidea. Members are commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths due to the larval behavior of rolling leaves to form shelters. The family includes numerous economically significant agricultural and forestry pests, notably the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and spruce budworm (Choristoneura species). The typical resting posture features wings folded back, creating a rounded profile.
Tortricinae
Tortricine Leafroller Moths, Leafrollers
Tortricinae is the nominate subfamily of Tortricidae, commonly known as leafroller moths. Larvae construct shelters by folding or rolling leaves of their host plants, a behavior that gives the group its common name. The subfamily includes economically significant agricultural pests as well as species employed as biological control agents against invasive weeds. It represents a diverse radiation within the tortrix moths with global distribution.
Tripudia rectangula
Rectangular Tripudia Moth
Tripudia rectangula is a small noctuid moth described by Michael G. Pogue in 2009 as part of a revision of the Tripudia quadrifera species complex. It is found across the southeastern and midwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. Larvae feed on Ruellia species.
Xenotemna pallorana
Pallid Leafroller Moth
Xenotemna pallorana is a small tortricid moth and the sole member of its genus. It is widely distributed across North America from Alaska and western Canada to Florida and eastern Canada. The species is commonly known as the Pallid Leafroller Moth, reflecting its characteristic pale coloration and the leaf-rolling behavior typical of many tortricid larvae. Adults are active during the growing season, with larvae feeding on various deciduous trees and shrubs.