Lepidoptera1247 species

Family Tortricid Moths (Tortricidae)

Tortricidae is a family in the order Lepidoptera. Browse 1,247 named species recorded in this family, or open an individual profile for its available identification and natural-history information.

Species in Tortricidae (1,247)

Acleris arcticana - Hodges#3534

Acleris arcticana

Identification: Adult : FW very dark smoky-grey with a faint oblique AM band, represented by a few dark scales near the costa. There are some scattered blackish scales in the apical portion. HW pale smoky, slightly speckled with black near the apex.

Acleris bergmanniana

Wingspan 10 to 14 mm. This is a small attractive yellow mottled species, the upper wing is marked with metallic blue-grey striations, edged with rufous, and the two black dots are in fact small raised tufts of black scales. Flying from late afternoon

Acleris bowmanana - Hodges#3553

Acleris bowmanana

Identification: Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) ( 3 )

Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537

Acleris britannia

Identification: Adult - there are light and dark forms of this moth. See original description in Print References. ,

Acleris capizziana - Hodges#3563

Acleris capizziana

Identification: See paratype, Museum ID: USNM ENT 01048897, from Bandon, OR which was DNA barcoded, BOLD Sample ID: CCDB-24281-A04 ( 3 ) : Also see images by Dick Wilson's DNA barcoded examples in the Guide with sequences which match the paratype.

Acleris celiana - Hodges#3533

Acleris celiana

Identification: Dark chestnut brown FW typically has mottled whitish AM band and darker basal patch. Some individuals are darker with bold white and chestnut streaks extending along costa. genitalia ID Info? I think you are correct but this phenotype

Acleris cervinana - Hodges#3514

Acleris cervinana

Identification: Adult - Many forms. Powell & Opler describe it as having "jaw-dropping different color forms."

Acleris cf. clarkei - Hodges#3544.85

Acleris cf-clarkei

Identification: Obraztsov described the adults including genitalia. Acleris clarkei Obraztsov, 1963 was described from a male holotype from Washington and a geographically disjunct (~1600km) female allotype from Manitoba. Given this large distance an

Lesser Maple Leafroller - Hodges#3539

Acleris chalybeana

Identification: Larva - light green. ( 3 ) genitalia

Acleris cristana

Wingspan 18 to 22 mm. Quite a distinctive species which shows a wide variation in appearance, with a number of named forms. It has an unusual raised patch of scales, or 'scale-tuft' in the centre of the forewing. This species flies between August and

Acleris emargana

Wingspan 18 to 22 mm. The notched and hooked forewings of this species create a very distinctive outline, but the colouration is variable and the depth of the costal emargination varies. Acleris effractana is a predominantly Northern/Scottish species

Acleris ferrugana

Wingspan 14 to 18 mm. Acleris ferrugana is very similar to Acleris notana and both are equally variable. They can only be reliably separated by genitalia dissection. Where specimens have not been confirmed by this means they should be recorded as Acl

Acleris ferrugana/notana agg.

Wingspan 14 to 18 mm. Acleris ferrugana and Acleris notana very variable species, and can be very similar. The two are best separated by examination of the genitalia. Where genitalia examination has not been carried out the species should be added as

Acleris foliana - Hodges#3560

Acleris foliana

Identification: Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )

Forbes' Acleris - Hodges#3525

Acleris forbesana

Identification: Adult - forewing whitish with dark gray triangular patch midway along costa, and lighter gray shading in diffuse patches near anal angle, in subterminal area, and in basal area; dark dot (sometimes absent) in AM area near costa, not n

Acleris forsskaleana

This yellowish species has a distinctive reticulated pattern on the forewing and a variably sized greyish suffusion across the centre. Frequenting woodland, long grassy areas and gardens etc. The flight period is dusk onwards during July and August.

Small Aspen Leaftier - Hodges#3520

Acleris fuscana

Identification: Original description is online as Peronea fuscana Barnes & Busck.

Acleris hastiana

Acleris hastiana is perhaps the most variable British tortrix moth with dozens of named forms and many intermediate types. Some forms can resemble those of the similarly variable but scarcer A. cristana which however has a more concave forewing costa

Acleris holmiana

Wingspan about 13 mm. A very distinctive species, with a striking white patch on each wing. The flight period of the adult moths is July and August in a single generation. They are easily disturbed by day and at night can be attracted to light. The l

Acleris implexana - Hodges#3522

Acleris implexana

Identification: Adult - forewing light yellowish with gray triangular or semicircular patch midway along costa containing several darker gray spots; dark spot in AM area near inner margin; hindwing slightly paler than forewing, unmarked. At present,

Inane Acleris - Hodges#3551

Acleris inana

WARNING: Do Not Add Images! Acleris inana is indistinguishable from Acleris flavivittana (Clemens, 1864) and the two are probably the same species. Because flavivittana has priority, images identified as inana should be treated as that species. Also,

Acleris kochiella

Wingspan 15 to 18 mm. It can closely resemble A. logiana which occurs in Scotland and until recently the two were thought to be separable on distribution. However, logiana has now appeared in southern England, so more care must be taken with identifi

Acleris laterana

Another variable species, which is difficult to separate from A. comariana . A rough guideline is the flight period, which is said to be August to September in the present species and June/July and October/November in comariana . However, these do ov

Acleris literana

Wingspan 18 to 22 mm. This is a distinctive species. It is very variable, and many different forms have been described, but they often have a combination of pale or whitish green ground colour with blackish markings. The moth is on the wing in August

Acleris logiana

Wingspan 18 to 22 mm. The whitish wings are usually slightly indented and often show tufts. They are often marked with small amounts of reddish brown. The adults generally emerge from September and overwinter, being found through to April. The larvae

Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549

Acleris maccana

Identification: Adult : Gray-brown or red-brown moth with "squared" wings and the abrupt "shoulder" characteristic of Tortricids. The FW markings are highly variable. Some specimens are poorly marked with markings confined to a narrow oblique rusty

Acleris macdunnoughi - Hodges#3506

Acleris macdunnoughi

Identification: The forewing can appear speckled. ( 4 )

Yellowheaded Fireworm Moth - Hodges#3545

Acleris minuta

Yellowheaded Fireworm Moth - Hodges#3545 (Acleris minuta) is a species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as tortricid moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Tortricinae, tribe

Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510

Acleris nivisellana

Identification: Adult: forewing white with large blackish semicircular patch mid-way along costa; diffuse irregular patches of light gray mixed with brown in median area and along inner margin; dark spot near inner margin in AM area; subterminal area

Acleris notana

Wingspan 15 to 19 mm. Acleris notana is very similar to Acleris ferrugana and both are equally variable. They can only be reliably separated by genitalia dissection. Where specimens have not been confirmed by this means they should be recorded as Acl

Black-headed Birch Leaffolder - Hodges#3540

Acleris placidana

Identification: Whitish or pale gray FW is dotted with tufts of raised dusky scales. Darker costal triangle is often reduced to a bar in central median area. ( 5 )

Acleris pulverosana - Hodges#3531

Acleris pulverosana

Identification: Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Genitalia: Formerly treated as a synonym of A. hastiana , a Palearctic species.

Rhomboid Tortrix

Acleris rhombana

Wingspan 13-19 mm. With the slightly hooked tips and reticulated pattern of the forewings, this species is fairly easy to identify, despite being rather variable. It can often be found around hedgerows and gardens. The adults fly in autumn from Augus

Acleris schalleriana

Wingspan about 17mm. It is rather similar in appearance to Acleris comariana and Acleris laterana but tends to show a more elongated costal blotch (though this can be obscured in some individuals). In areas where the larval foodplants are found. Adul

Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503

Acleris semipurpurana

Identification: Adult: forewing bright yellow with large brown blotch in the center, dusted with metallic gray scales. One or more darker spots within the brown blotch just above the midpoint on each side are apparent in several images. Adult color a

Acleris simpliciana - Hodges#3524

Acleris simpliciana

Identification: Adult - forewing pale yellow with gray patch along costa broken into two unequal blotches; dark spot in AM area near inner margin; hindwing whitish with some yellowish shading near apex.

Acleris sparsana

Wingspan 18-22 mm. A variable species, sometimes with a distinctive triangular marking on the upperwing but often with a greyish ground colour, obscurely marked with specks of darker and lighter. Favouring Beech and Sycamore the larval foodplants. Th

Acleris stadiana - Hodges#3521.1

Acleris stadiana

Identification: ♂ ♀ Often mis-identified as 3521 Acleris semiannula Sabourin, M., R.J. Priest & W.E. Miller, 1997. Nearctic Acleris: resurrection of A. stadiana and a revised identity for A. semiannula (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Great Lakes Entomol

Bent-wing Acleris - Hodges#3517

Acleris subnivana

Identification: Obraztsov (1963) stated "Variation. - McDunnough (1934) noted in subnivana variation of the ground color of forewings, their reticulation in some specimens, and the triangular costal spot solid or interrupted by a pale patch. The pres

Garden Rose Tortrix

Acleris variegana

Wingspan 14-18 mm. An extremely variable species. Flying from July to September, it is mainly nocturnal and is attracted by bright lights. The larvae feed on Rose bushes, as the name suggests but also on a range of other trees and shrubs. Occurs comm

Viburnum Acleris - Hodges#3527

Acleris viburnana

Identification: Moderately rough-scaled anterior margin of the forewing and enlarged costal blotch, which extends to near the apex. Genitalia: It twists a leaf to form a pocket and feeds inside.

Acleris youngana - Hodges#3550

Acleris youngana

Identification: female genitalia Full grown larva are creamy white and about 10mm long. Female moths are reluctant to fly so populations build up on cone-bearing trees.

Shimmering Gold Adoxophyes - Hodges#3691

Adoxophyes negundana

Identification: Adult - forewing yellow with fine netlike pattern of dark lines, thick dark diagonal stripe from costa to anal angle, and thin dark diagonal stripe across apex; thick stripe has distinct kink or jog near middle; hindwing white.

Angular Aethes - Hodges#3807

Aethes angulatana

Identification: Adult - highly variable in size and markings. ( 3 ) Forewing pale yellowish or cream with dark brownish-gray markings; dark strip along costa from base to one-quarter wing length, and thick basal dash runs parallel to costal strip; da

Aethes angustana - Hodges#3754.1

Aethes angustana

Michael Sabourin, Referee for Cochylini at Moth Photographers Group, informs me that " mymara tends to be slightly paler than angustana , but they are not readily separated without disection." This species was number 3808 in the 1983 Hodges Checklist

Silver-bordered Aethes - Hodges#3754.2

Aethes argentilimitana

Identification: Specimens identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 5 ) Genitalia:

Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3

Aethes atomosana

This species was number 3810 in the 1983 Hodges Checklist.

Aethes beatricella

It can be found on waste ground, woodland fringes and hedgerows. It flies during June and July, in the evening and into dusk, and is sometimes attracted to light. This species occurs mainly in the south-east of England. In the Butterfly Conservation'

Aethes biscana - Hodges#3755.1

Aethes biscana

Identification: Adult - see original description in Print References.

Aethes bomonana - Hodges#3755.2

Aethes bomonana

Aethes bomonana - Hodges#3755.2 (Aethes bomonana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as tortricid moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Tortricinae, tribe Cochylin

Aethes cnicana

Wingspan 14 to 17 mm. The adults of this species generally have a slightly glossy appearance to the forewings. Around rough grassland areas containing thistle the larval foodplant. The adults are on the wing in June and July and are often attracted t

Aethes deutschiana - Hodges#3755.3

Aethes deutschiana

This species was number 3757 in the 1983 Hodges Checklist.

Aethes interruptofasciata - Hodges#3757

Aethes interruptofasciata

Identification: Robinson original description is available online in the print references.

Aethes promptana - Hodges#3759.1

Aethes promptana

This species was number 3844 in the 1983 Hodges Checklist.

Rings' Aethes Moth - Hodges#3780

Aethes ringsi

Identification: Original description is online in PDF.

Aethes rubigana

Wingspan 15 to 19 mm. A rather attractive species, with more distinct markings than some of its close relatives. It inhabits waste ground and dry open areas containing burdock. The moths fly from late June to August, from dusk into the night. The lar

Aethes rutilana - Hodges#3760

Aethes rutilana

Identification: Larva - Dull yellow body with orange-brown head and prothoracic shield. This species was number 3758 in the 1983 Hodges Checklist.

Aethes smeathmanniana

Wingspan 12-19 mm. The ground colour of this moth varies from whitish to yellowish but the species differs from several related species by its narrower forewings. The 'V' shaped markings are of a rust colour. It occurs as an adult from May through to

Aethes spartinana - Hodges#3761.1

Aethes spartinana

Aethes spartinana - Hodges#3761.1 (Aethes spartinana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as tortricid moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Tortricinae, tribe Coch

Aethes tesserana

Wingspan 12 to 18 mm. A variable but quite distinctive species, with a chequered pattern to the forewings. Various habitats, especially where the larval foodplants are found. The larvae feed in the roots of Oxtongue (Helminthotheca) and Hawkweed (Hie

Agapeta hamana

The wingspan is 15-24 mm. A yellowish moth with russet coloured markings on the wings. Found in many habitats including grassland, fens, open woodland, heathland, waste places and gardens where foodplant thistle occurs. Flies mainly at dusk or at nig

Agapeta zoegana

Wingspan 15-25 mm. Usual form is yellow with russet wing markings similar to A. hamana . The form ferrugana has orange-brown ground colour instead of the normal yellow. Both have distinctive brown ring at wing-tip. Its main foodplant is Common Knapwe

Aleimma loeflingiana

Wingspan 14-19 mm. The darker markings on the forewings can be somewhat variable but are usually fairly diagnostic of the species. Primarily a woodland species but can be found in any area containing Oak It flies during July and August from dusk into

Amorbia knudsoni - Hodges#3749.1

Amorbia knudsoni

Identification: PARATYPE in the TAMUIC (collected by Ed Knudson) Holotype: Big Bend National Park, Green Gulch, Brewster County, Texas, United States.

Amphiphala carolana - Hodges#3783.42

Amphiphala carolana

Identification: Original description available at link in citations below.

Amphiphala landryana - Hodges#3783.41

Amphiphala landryana

Identification: Original description available at link in citation below.

Amphiphala liatriana - Hodges#3783.4

Amphiphala liatriana

Identification: Original description available at link in citations below.

Ancylis achatana

Wingspan 14-18 mm. This is a moth with a rich brown and silvery appearance, sometimes dulled by darker shades of brown. Blackthorn thickets and hedgerows of Blackthorn and Hawthorn, scrub, open woodland, gardens. Larvae feed on the leaves of Hawthorn

White-edged Ancylis Moth - Hodges#3387

Ancylis albacostana

White-edged Ancylis Moth - Hodges#3387 (Ancylis albacostana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as tortricid moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Olethreutinae, t

Ancylis badiana

Wingspan 12 to16 mm. A small well marked moth. Inhabits a range of woodland and open ground areas. Two generations of this moth occur during the year, the first in April and May, and later from July to August. It is active in the late afternoon into

Oak Leaffolder - Hodges#3367

Ancylis burgessiana

Identification: Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 4 )

Strawberry Leafroller - Hodges#3374

Ancylis comptana-of-authors

The species represented here is a cryptic undescribed species. True comptana (Frölich, 1828) is Palearctic; conflexana (Walker, 1863) has priority for the North American species.

Ancylis cordiae - Hodges#3388

Ancylis cordiae

Identification: Distinguishing feature: Second joint of the labial palpi with strong tuft, concealing terminal joint; white at base, light brown at apex, with a small black spot on outer side. Evident in posted specimen. (Ann Hendrickson)

Ancylis diminuatana - Hodges#3379

Ancylis diminuatana

Identification: Adult - Very similar to Ancylis goodelliana . The main difference between A. diminutana and A. goodelliana is how straight or even the border between the dark and light halves of the wing is. A. goodelliana should have a more even lat

Ancylis diminutana

Wingspan 12 to 18 mm. This is quite a distinctive species. Formerly treated as a form of Ancylis geminana , this has now been granted specific status. This is a scarce species in our area so please provide a photograph to support your record. Occupie

Ancylis goodelliana - Hodges#3380

Ancylis goodelliana

Identification: Very similar to Ancylis diminutana . The main difference between A. diminutana and A. goodelliana is how straight or even the border between the dark and light halves of the wing is. A. goodelliana should have a more even lateral line

Ancylis laetana

Wingspan about 15 mm. A number of the British Ancylis species are rather similar in appearance, whereas laetana displays an unusually whitish (for the genus) forewing ground colour. Flying in May and June in a single generation, the adults appear fro

Ancylis mitterbacheriana

Please provide supporting images with your records for this species. The moth flies in May and June in the evening and later into the night. The larvae feed on Oak and Beech, and the adult moth can sometimes be found resting on the upper surface of a

Red-headed Ancylis - Hodges#3377

Ancylis muricana

Identification: Adult - original description : Palpi short, whitish, the apical point almost concealed: head and patagia pale ferruginous; antennae slightly darker; thorax purplish grey. Fore wings - the costa arched; apex falcate - with the basal po

Ancylis myrtillana

Wingspan about14 mm. Care is needed to distinguish this species from the more frequently encountered Ancylis badiana. This species is associated with moorland habitats where the larval foodplants are present. Adult moths fly from May to July, both in

Ancylis pacificana - Hodges#3383

Ancylis pacificana

Identification: The Walsingham original description as Phoxopteryx pacificana and the Heinrich revised description are both available online in the print references. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Ancylis saliana - Hodges#3379.1

Ancylis saliana

Identification: Detailed description and images can be found in Gilligan et al at link in citations below.

Ancylis simuloides - Hodges#3363

Ancylis simuloides

Identification: Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). The species was described from very few specimens collected in British Columbia. California specimens were termed Ancylis simuloides ssp. sierrae by McDunnough , but may be a species yet to

Ancylis tineana - Hodges#3386

Ancylis tineana

Identification: "A striking species easily recognized by its unique genitalia" .

Ancylis uncella - Hodges#3378

Ancylis uncella

Identification: Heinrich (1923) original description available online. ( 3 )

Ancylis unguicella - Hodges#3382

Ancylis unguicella

Identification: Adult - one of few Anyclis with dark fasciate wing markings. ( 3 )

Ancylis virididorsana - Hodges#3388.4

Ancylis virididorsana

Identification: This taxon has a large oval dark brown dorsal patch. The patch and adjacent areas of the forewings often show olive-green overtones (iridescence) when fresh, thus the informal common name of "Olive Ancylis". - Chuck Sexton "A very di

Anopina ednana - Hodges#3584

Anopina ednana

Identification: Adult - see original description in Print References.

Anopina eleonora - Hodges#3585

Anopina eleonora

Identification: Adult - grey with well-defined, dark basal and costal patches. Powell & Opler collected none at lights, all diurnally, flushed from Arctostaphylis and Ceanothus .

Anopina triangulana - Hodges#3583

Anopina triangulana

Identification: Adult - pale gray mottled with dark gray and well defined dark triangle beyond midcosta. Females with distal half mostly fuscus clouded, obscuring the triangle, and the basal area is pale ocherous or tan. Also see Obraztsov.

Wide-striped Leafroller - Hodges#3675

Aphelia alleniana

Identification: Adult - The color of the head, thorax, and forewings is sometimes not reddish to golden yellow, as in the original description, but somewhat olive or grayish. The cross lines and the remaining pattern of the forewings are often also s

Bilberry Tortrix

Aphelia viburnana

Length about16 mm. A rather plain looking Tortrix moth varying from brown or grey to pale yellowish in colour and with faint and rather variable markings (if any). Please retain the specimen as gen det may be required. Moorland, heathland and bogs, e

Apotomis betuletana

Wingspan 16 to 20 mm. This moth is dark from the head for approximately two thirds the length of the wing, then a noticeable change to a band of slightly mottled white for the final third. Woods and woodland margins where birch occurs. The moths are

Apotomis infida - Hodges#2767

Apotomis infida

Identification: Adult - forewing mottled silvery-gray with dark brownish patches at base and mid-way along costa; several black-rimmed irregular spots in lower half of wing; hindwing pale brownish-gray.

Apotomis paludicolana - Hodges#2754

Apotomis paludicolana

Identification: Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Green Aspen Leafroller - Hodges#2768

Apotomis removana

Identification: Adult - see original description in Print References. Genitalia:

Apotomis turbidana

Wingspan around 20 mm. This is one of several similar Tortrix moths that have purple-brown marbling with white at at the end, providing camouflage by looking like a bird dropping. This species has more white patches than most - towards the head and o

Apotomops wellingtoniana - Hodges#3589

Apotomops wellingtoniana

Apotomops wellingtoniana - Hodges#3589 (Apotomops wellingtoniana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as tortricid moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Tortricinae

Ugly-nest Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3661

Archips cerasivorana

Identification: Adult - bright to pale ocherous orange crossed by broken, transverse lines of shining, dark rose rust prominent only on the costa. Hindwing ocherous yellow. Larva - body brownish or greenish-yellow; head shiny dark brown; lacks an ana

Brown Oak Tortrix

Archips crataegana

Wingspan male: about 20mm, female: about 25mm. This is a sexually dimorphic species the females being larger than the males, which have a 'costal fold' in common with a number of related species. The larvae feed on a number of deciduous trees, includ