Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426
Aspila molesta
This record describes Aspila molesta (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : FW dull grayish brown with a row of black dots near the apex and termen. Larva : Last instar larvae are approximately 10-12 mm in length with a pinkish abdomen and large pale pinacula. The head and prothoracic shield are yellowish brown. The anal shield is light brown without mottling. An anal comb is present with ca. 5 teeth. Early instars are assumed to be whitish with a black head and prothoracic shield. Larvae may appear similar to other species of Grapholita and Cydia . Cydia pomonella larvae can be separated from G. molesta by the absence of an anal fork. Other species of Grapholita cannot be reliably separated solely on larval description. Grapholita molesta is thought to have originated in northwest China. The first North American records are from 1913-1915. It is currently widely distributed on all continents where stone-fruit is grown.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Grapholitini
- Genus
- Aspila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Important pest of stone-fruit crops throughout the world. Most economic damage occurs in peach and nectarine, or when other fruit crops are grown adjacent to peach. In addition to the Rosaceae , larvae have been recorded feeding on plants in several families.
Life History
Females lay eggs singly on smooth surfaces of the host plant, which usually includes leaves, shoots, and twigs. Early instars tunnel into shoots or pedicels. Later instars continue feeding in shoots or tunnel into fruit. The final instar leaves the fruit or shoot and constructs a cocoon on the tree or in leaf litter. Larvae complete 4-5 instars.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin molesta meaning "troublesome, irksome, grievous."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aspila molesta. 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 Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426
What is Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426?
Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426 (Aspila molesta) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426?
FWL ≈ 5-7mm Wingspan 10-13 mm.
How do you identify Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426?
Adult : FW dull grayish brown with a row of black dots near the apex and termen. Larva : Last instar larvae are approximately 10-12 mm in length with a pinkish abdomen and large pale pinacula. The head and prothoracic shield are yellowish brown. The anal shield is light brown without mottling. An anal comb is present with ca. 5 teeth. Early instars are assumed to be whitish with a black head and prothoracic shield. Larvae may appear similar to other species of Grapholita and Cydia . Cydia pomonella larvae can be separated from G. molesta by the absence of an anal fork. Other species of Grapholita cannot be reliably separated solely on larval description.
What does Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426 eat?
The diet of the Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426 includes Important pest of stone-fruit crops throughout the world. Most economic damage occurs in peach and nectarine, or when other fruit crops are grown adjacent to peach. In addition to the Rosaceae , larvae have been recorded feeding on plants in several families..
What is the life cycle of a Oriental Fruit Moth - Hodges#3426?
Females lay eggs singly on smooth surfaces of the host plant, which usually includes leaves, shoots, and twigs. Early instars tunnel into shoots or pedicels. Later instars continue feeding in shoots or tunnel into fruit. The final instar leaves the fruit or shoot and constructs a cocoon on the tree or in leaf litter. Larvae complete 4-5 instars.