Acleris senescens

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Acleris senescens (Zeller) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Tortricini)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 10.0–12.5 mm

Adults have elongate, narrow forewings. Several different forms exist, although most have gray forewings with black lines and spots. Males lack a forewing costal fold.

Male genitalia are characterized by a reduced uncus; moderate, lobe-like socii; and elongate valvae with well sclerotized dorsal and ventral margins and a well-developed apical process. Female genitalia are characterized by sterigma with long anteriorly directed lobes; scobinate signum in corpus bursae.

Larval Morphology

The following account is summarized from MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182..

Mature larva 14–15 mm in length; width of head 1.4–1.7 mm; head yellowish with darker lateral pigmentation; prothoracic shield, body, legs, and anal shield pale green; anal fork well developed; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 typically 3:3:2:2:2.

Similar Species

The forewing pattern of A. senescens is similar to certain forms of several other Acleris species, such as A. chalybeana and A. hastiana. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity.

Distribution

Acleris senescens is distributed along the Pacific Coast of North America from British Columbia south to California.

Biology

Adults are present in early spring and late fall in California, suggesting a single generation per year with adults overwintering. More detailed life history information for this species is unavailable.

Larvae of Acleris senescens have been recorded feeding on plants in the Betulaceae, Rosaceae, and Salicaceae.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here

Links

Additional photos and distribution map in North America available at Moth Photographers Group.