Formerly considered a subgenus of Grapholita, Aspila was recently raised to genus status by Hu et al. (2023)Hu et al. (2023):
Hu, G.-L., Brown, J.W., Heikkilä, M., Aarvik, L., Mutanen, M. 2023. Molecular phylogeny, divergence time, biogeography and trends in host plant usage in the agriculturally important tortricid tribe Grapholitini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae). Cladistics. 39(5): 359-381. to accommodate a group of 18 species that use Rosaceae as a primary host (as opposed to Fabaceae in Grapholita). Both genera are defined by a pair of coremata and short lateral projections on the eighth sternite in the male.
Adults are small (FWL 3.5–7.5 mm) and brown, often with less distinctive strigulae compared to Grapholita. Male genitalia are characterized by the absence of an uncus and socii, and a well-defined, densely setose cucullus. Female genitalia are characterized by a short ductus bursae and two thorn-like signa in the corpus bursae in many species.
This genus contains many well known tortricid pests, such as the oriental fruit moth (A. molesta), cherry fruit worm (A. packardi), lesser apple worm (A. prunivora), and plum fruit moth (A. funebrana). Larvae are internal feeders in fruit and can cause significant economic damage to stone fruits (almonds, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, etc.). The white to reddish larvae resemble those of other internally feeding olethreutines, such as Cydia and Grapholita, but larvae can usually be separated from Cydia by the anal fork, which is present in many Aspila and Grapholita and absent in most Cydia. Larvae of Aspila are best separated from Grapholita by host plant: Aspila typically use Rosaceae while Grapholita typically use Fabaceae (with exceptions).
Except for A. funebrana, all of the species treated here are present in North America. Aspila funebrana is one of the most important lepidopteran pests of stone fruit in Europe and its exclusion from North America is a top priority. Aspila larvae are commonly intercepted at United States ports of entry on a variety of products originating from Europe, Central America, and South America.
For more information on Aspila larvae, please consult the fact sheet and keys on LepIntercept. Note that species placed in Aspila on this site are placed in Grapholita on LepIntercept.
Exotic species
Adventive species
Native species
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
idtools.org
TortAI tool images at ipmimages.org - ITP Node
