Archips grisea (Robinson) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)
Common names: black-shield leaf roller, gray Archips moth
Synonyms: brauniana (Cacoecia)
FWL: 7.5-9.0 mm (male); 8.0-11.0 mm (female)
Forewing color is primarily brownish gray, with dark-brown to black markings that are more prominently expressed in the male. Hindwings are a uniform gray. Males have a forewing costal fold.
Male genitalia are characterized by a narrow uncus; absent socii; and broad, subtriangular valvae. Female genitalia are characterized by a long, narrow ductus bursae with cestum present; and short, dagger-like signum present in the corpus bursae.
The following account is summarized from Chapman and Lienk (1971)Chapman and Lienk (1971):
Chapman, P. J., Lienk, S. E. 1971. Tortricid fauna of apple in New York (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); including an account of apple's occurrence in the state, especially as a naturalized plant. Spec. Publ. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 122 pp..
Mature larvae are 15–23 mm in length with a green abdomen. The prothoracic shield and head are uniformly black in the last instar. The prothoracic legs are brown to black while the other thoracic legs are pale green and unmarked.
Adults of Archips grisea are unlikely to be confused with other native Nearctic Archips. General forewing pattern is similar to some forms of A. podana, A. crataegana, and A. rosana, although the grayish appearance of the forewing and hindwing should be sufficient to distinguish A. grisea from these other species.
The life cycle and larval habits of A. grisea are similar to those of A. argyrospila, A. mortuana, and Choristoneura rosaceana. Larvae of A. grisea are distinguished from these other species by a uniformly black prothoracic shield. Archips cerasivorana larvae also have a uniformly black prothoracic shield, but the larvae live and feed in communal nests.
Archips grisea is distributed in the eastern United States, from Minnesota and Maine south to Texas and Florida. There is a record from Utah; Chapman and Lienk (1971)Chapman and Lienk (1971):
Chapman, P. J., Lienk, S. E. 1971. Tortricid fauna of apple in New York (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); including an account of apple's occurrence in the state, especially as a naturalized plant. Spec. Publ. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 122 pp. speculate this might have been the result of an introduction of infested plants from the eastern United States.
The following account is summarized from Chapman and Lienk (1971)Chapman and Lienk (1971):
Chapman, P. J., Lienk, S. E. 1971. Tortricid fauna of apple in New York (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); including an account of apple's occurrence in the state, especially as a naturalized plant. Spec. Publ. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 122 pp..
Archips grisea completes one generation per year. Adults are present as early as April in Texas, but are active from June to July further north. This species has the same basic life history information as A. argyrospila and can often be found in association with A. argyrospila infestations.
Females lay eggs in masses of approximately 50–60 individual eggs on small diameter branches of the host. Eggs overwinter and first instar larvae hatch the following spring. Larvae feed on leaves and young fruit and pupation occurs within the final larval feeding site.
Host plants
Chapman and Lienk (1971)Chapman and Lienk (1971):
Chapman, P. J., Lienk, S. E. 1971. Tortricid fauna of apple in New York (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); including an account of apple's occurrence in the state, especially as a naturalized plant. Spec. Publ. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 122 pp. state that apple (Malus spp.) and hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) are the primary larval hosts in the northeastern United States Other host plants are listed here.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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