Acleris variegana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Tortricini)
Common names: garden rose tortrix
Synonyms: albana (Peronea), alpicolana (form), argentana (form), asperana (Pyralis), blandiana (Tortrix), brunneana (form), caeruleoatrana (ab.), cirrana (Peronea), costimaculana (Peronea), fuscana (form), insignata (Tortrix), nyctemerana (Tortrix), osbeckiana (Tortrix), uniformis (ab.)
FWL: 7.0–10.0 mm
The forewing pattern of Acleris variegana is variable; Bradley et al. (1973)Bradley et al. (1973):
Bradley, J. D., Tremewan, W. G., Smith, A. 1973. British Tortricoid Moths, Cochylidae and Tortricidae: Tortricinae. The Ray Society, London. 251 pp. lists eight forms as occurring in the United Kingdom. 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. describes three distinct phenotypes found in western North America: 1) forewing white on inner half with a dark dorsal triangle, outer half dark-purplish; 2) forewing divided into white basal and blue-black or purplish distal area; 3) and forewing ground color tan with a basal dorsal triangle and purplish outer costal triangle. Males lack a forewing costal fold.
Male genitalia are characterized by a reduced uncus; triangular, lobe-like socii; elongate valvae with a distinctly produced apex; sacculus well-developed. Female genitalia characterized by sterigma with long, rounded anterolateral lobes; cestum absent in ductus bursae; scobinate signum present in corpus bursae.
No detailed descriptions of larval chaetotaxy for Acleris variegana exist, but this species is likely similar to other species of Acleris. The following account is summarized from Swatschek (1958)Swatschek (1958):
Swatschek, B. 1958. Die larval systematik der wickler (Tortricidae und Carposinidae) aus dem zoologischen Institut der Universitat Erlangen. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin. 269 pp. [Abhandlungen zur larvalsystematik Insekten 3.].
Larvae are yellowish or light green. The head is brown and the prothoracic shield is concolorous with the abdomen. Legs are brown or pale. Most individuals exhibit a black spot located laterally on the head and a dark posterolateral mark on each side of the prothoracic shield.
Acleris variegana may appear similar to certain forms of other Acleris species, including A. keiferi Powell, A. maculidorsana (Clemens), and A. robinsoniana in North America and A. permutana (Duponchel) in Europe. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity.
Acleris variegana is widely distributed throughout Europe, northwestern Africa, central Asia, and China. The earliest North America record is from 1920 in British Columbia (Gillespie and Gillespie 1982Gillespie and Gillespie 1982:
Gillespie, D. R., Gillespie, B. I. 1982. A list of plant-feeding Lepidoptera introduced into British Columbia. Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia. 79: 37-48.). It is now present on both the East and West Coasts of North America.
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 variegana completes two generations per year in North America. Adults fly from April to July and again from August to November. Overwintering occurs as a second generation adult. Eggs are laid singly or in small batches on leaves of the host plant. Early instar larvae tie together two leaves and skeletonize them from the inside; later instars consume the entire leaf. Pupation occurs in the larval shelter or among dead leaves on the ground.
Larvae have been recorded feeding on a variety of host plants, primarily those in the family Rosaceae.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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