Rosaceae-feeder
Guides
Acleris variegana
Garden Rose Tortrix, Garden Rose Tortricid, Fruit Tortricid
A small tortricid moth with distinctive wing patterning, recognized as a significant agricultural pest of rosaceous fruit trees. Adults fly nocturnally during late summer and are attracted to light. The species has a broad Palearctic distribution with introduced populations in North America. Larval damage is most severe from the spring generation, which attacks fruit buds, flowers, and developing fruits.
Aphis pomi
apple aphid, green apple aphid
Aphis pomi, the green apple aphid, is a small sap-sucking insect specialized on pomoideous host plants in the Rosaceae family, particularly apple (Malus domestica). It is autoecious, completing its entire life cycle on a single host species. The species reproduces primarily through parthenogenesis during the growing season, with sexual forms appearing only in autumn to produce overwintering eggs. It is morphologically similar to Aphis spiraecola but can be reliably distinguished by the length of the ultimate rostral segment.
Archips rosana
Rose Tortrix, Rose Tortrix Moth, Rose Leaf Roller
Archips rosana, the rose tortrix moth, is a leafroller moth in the family Tortricidae distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. The species is a significant agricultural pest of apple orchards and other fruit crops, with larvae feeding within rolled leaves. Adults are active from May to August, with specific timing varying by location. The species is subject to substantial biological control by parasitoid wasps, with parasitisation rates reaching 24-40% in some populations.
Aristotelia amelanchierella
Aristotelia amelanchierella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1925. The species is found in scattered locations across North America, with records from Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. The larva is known to feed on Amelanchier alnifolia (serviceberry), making this a host-specific twirler moth.
Caliroa cerasi
pear slug, cherry slug, cherry slimy sawfly
Caliroa cerasi, commonly known as the pear slug or cherry slug, is a sawfly (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) whose larvae are significant pests of stone and pome fruit trees. The species exhibits a complex life cycle with bivoltine and univoltine generations, and populations can shift between deuterotokous (producing both sexes) and thelytokous (female-only) parthenogenesis during outbreak cycles. Native to Europe, it has spread to multiple continents including North America, Asia, and Australasia. While capable of causing serious defoliation, it is generally considered a secondary pest in intensive orchards due to susceptibility to insecticides.
Callisto denticulella
Garden Apple Slender
Callisto denticulella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. Adults are active from May to June and have a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern featuring white triangular striae on a brown forewing. Larvae are specialized miners of Malus leaves, with additional records from Crataegus, Cotoneaster, and Pyrus. The species has a broad distribution across Europe, eastern North America, and parts of Russia.
Catocala alabamae
Alabama Underwing, Titan Underwing
Catocala alabamae, commonly known as the Alabama Underwing or Titan Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species is notable for its distinctive underwing pattern typical of the genus Catocala, where dull forewings conceal brightly colored hindwings. It occurs primarily in the southeastern and central United States, with adults active during spring and summer months. The species has been documented feeding on several host plants in the rose family as larvae.
Catocala praeclara
Praeclara Underwing, Praeclara Underwing Moth
Catocala praeclara, commonly known as the Praeclara Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was described by Grote and Robinson in 1866. It is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, a defensive trait common to underwing moths. Adults are active in late summer, and larvae feed on specific woody plants in the rose family.
Catocala pretiosa
Precious Underwing
Catocala pretiosa, the Precious Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae first described by Joseph Albert Lintner in 1876. It was long treated as a synonym of Catocala crataegi but has been revalidated as a distinct species. The nominate subspecies is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut. Adults are active from May to June with likely one generation per year.
Cenopis niveana
Aproned Cenopis Moth
A tortricid moth of eastern North America, historically classified under Sparganothis. The species exhibits the characteristic bell-shaped resting posture of leafroller moths. Adults are active during warmer months, with over 800 observations documented.
Epinotia medioviridana
Epinotia medioviridana is a poorly known tortricid moth described from Ottawa, Ontario in 1908. The species remained represented by very few specimens until 1951, when larvae were discovered on flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus) in Quebec, providing the first documentation of its life history. Adults have been recorded from scattered localities in northeastern North America, but the species appears genuinely rare in collections.
Hedya nubiferana
marbled orchard tortrix, green budworm moth
Hedya nubiferana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 15–21 mm, characterized by distinctive forewing markings including a square basal black spot and a prominent white cross-band at the wing tip. The species occurs across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. Adults are active from May to August in western Europe, with timing varying across the range. Larvae develop on hawthorn (Crataegus) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).
Paonias excaecata
Blinded Sphinx
Paonias excaecata, commonly known as the blinded sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It occurs across much of North America, from Canada to Florida and west to California and Texas. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet lights, a trait frequently utilized by collectors and researchers for observation. The species is one of several hawk moths found in the genus Paonias, which are characterized by their robust bodies and relatively broad wings.
Paria pratensis
Paria pratensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae. It is found in the eastern United States and eastern Canada, with confirmed records from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and the eastern United States. The species has been documented feeding on the prairie rose (Rosa setigera), though its full host range remains incompletely known. Like other members of the genus Paria, it likely feeds on foliage of its host plants.
Parornichinae
Parornichinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Gracillariidae, established in 2001. It contains five genera: Callisto, Graphiocephala, Parornix, and Pleiomorpha. Members are known as leaf-mining moths, with larvae that feed internally on plant leaves. The genus Parornix was first reported from China in 2021.
Protorthodes rufula
rufous Quaker moth
Protorthodes rufula is a small noctuid moth found along the Pacific Coast of western North America. The species exhibits highly variable forewing coloration ranging from pale buff to deep brown, with rufous shading present in most individuals. It has two distinct flight periods in northern populations and an extended season in southern California. The larvae develop on hardwoods in the rose family.
Pyrgus ruralis
Two-banded Checkered-Skipper, Two-banded Checkered Skipper
Pyrgus ruralis is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the two-banded checkered skipper. It occurs across western North America from southern British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains south to central California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. The species has one generation annually, with adults active from April to July. A federally endangered subspecies, P. r. lagunae (Laguna Mountains skipper), persists in a restricted range in the mountains east of San Diego, California.