Ancylis Hübner (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Enarmoniini)
Ancylis is a large genus of approximately 150 species distributed globally, although the bulk of the described diversity is in the Holarctic region. The genus can be easily recognized by its narrow forewing with a distinctly falcate apex. Many species possess a distinct dark brown or red semielliptical marking on the basal half of the inner margin that strongly contrasts with a pale basal half of the costa. An ocellus may or may not be present on the forewing. Without examining the genitalia, species identification can be difficult. Even then, unresolved species complexes may make some species determinations impossible at present. Male genitalia are characterized by a bifid uncus and an acute, projecting saccular angle. Female genitalia are characterized by a simple cone-shaped sterigma and two long blade-like signa.
Most species of Ancylis tend to be leaf-rollers or leaf-tiers. A few species, such as A. comptana and A. nubeculana, can be minor economic pests. For the few species whose life histories are documented, eggs tend to be laid on the lower surface of the host plant leaf where early instars feed in a silken web. Later instars will fold the leaf and feed by skeletonizing it. Mature larvae overwinter in a folded leaf, either still attached to the plant or on the ground. Pupation occurs in the spring. Members of the genus are known to feed on several different families of angiosperms. Species often specialize on a single family or genus of plant, which can assist in species identification.
We include Ancylis on this site because of the large number of species in the United States and the likelihood of encountering them in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings.
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Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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