Acleris robinsoniana (Forbes) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Tortricini)
Common names: Robinson's Acleris moth
Synonyms: clemensiana (Peronea)
FWL: 8.0–9.0 mm
The forewing pattern of Acleris robinsoniana varies greatly. Obraztsov (1963)Obraztsov (1963):
Obraztsov, N. S. 1963. Some North American moths of the genus Acleris . Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 114: 213-270. described six distinct forms that were present in the type series; the nominate form is brown with a pale-yellow streak along the dorsal margin. In one of the more common forms the forewing is brown on the distal half and gray or white on the basal half with a dark-brown to black mark on the dorsum. Males lack a forewing costal fold.
Male genitalia are characterized by reduced uncus; broad, triangular socii; broad valvae with ventral excavation. Female genitalia characterized by sterigma with long anteriorly directed lobes; scobinate signum in corpus bursae.
No detailed description of larval chaetotaxy exists for Acleris robinsoniana, but likely mirrors other species of Acleris. The following description is based on images of larvae of A. robinsoniana.
Larvae are yellowish or light green. Late instar individuals have a brown head, a dark-brown prothoracic shield, and brown to dark-brown legs. Earlier instars lack these markings and the prothoracic shield and legs are concolorous with the abdomen.
Acleris robinsoniana may appear similar to several other species of Acleris, specifically certain forms of A. fragariana, A. hastiana, A. inana, A. keiferi, A. maculidorsana, A. pulverosana, and A. variegana. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm species identity.
Acleris robinsoniana is distributed from the eastern United States south to Georgia and across southern Canada to British Columbia and south to California.
The following account is summarized from Powell (1964b)Powell (1964b):
Powell, J. A. 1964b. Biological and taxonomic studies on tortricine moths, with reference to the species in California. University of California Publications in Entomology. Vol. 32. 317 pp..
Acleris robinsoniana completes one or two generations per year. Adults are usually present in May or June. Early instar larvae fold or tie newly developing leaves and feed on the upper surface. Later instars fold leaves and consume the apical half. Individuals overwinter as adults.
Larvae of this species have only been recorded feeding on Rosa and Populus.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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