Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503
Acleris semipurpurana
This record describes Acleris semipurpurana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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 and pattern variable; individuals are best distinguished from the very similar Blueberry Leaftier by association with the larval foodplant (see See Also section below). Genitalia: Larva: body dirty white to light green; head pale brown with black bar on lower side of head or cheek area (a diagnostic character); front legs black to brown The larvae are potentially serious defoliators of oaks, especially in the northeast.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tortricinae
- Tribe
- Tortricini
- Genus
- Acleris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. NA - Map ( 3 ) (GBIF)
Seasonal Activity
mostly: Apr-July (BG, GBIF, & MPG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of oak, tying some leaves together with silk and leaving others partially shredded.
Life History
Overwinters as an egg on oak twigs. Larva emerges in spring. Final instar descends on silk and pupates in leaf litter beneath the tree. Larva; pupa
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: semipurpurana (L). "semi-purple," for the "large purplish-brown spot ... that covers all the wing, except a narrow line along costa."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acleris semipurpurana. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503
What is Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503?
Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503 (Acleris semipurpurana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503?
Wingspan 12-16 mm Larva body length to 12 mm
How do you identify Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503?
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 and pattern variable; individuals are best distinguished from the very similar Blueberry Leaftier by association with the larval foodplant (see See Also section below). Genitalia: Larva: body dirty white to light green; head pale brown with black bar on lower side of head or cheek area (a diagnostic character); front legs black to brown
Where is Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503 found?
Range: e. NA - Map ( 3 ) (GBIF)
What does Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503 eat?
The diet of the Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503 includes Larvae feed on leaves of oak, tying some leaves together with silk and leaving others partially shredded..
When is Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503 active?
Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503: seasonal activity - mostly: Apr-July (BG, GBIF, & MPG data).
What is the life cycle of a Oak Leaftier Moth - Hodges#3503?
Overwinters as an egg on oak twigs. Larva emerges in spring. Final instar descends on silk and pupates in leaf litter beneath the tree. Larva; pupa