Archips negundana (Dyar) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)
Common name: larger boxelder leafroller moth
Synonyms: nugundana (Cacoecia)
FWL: 8–12 mm
Head, thorax pale yellow to pale brown; forewing with ground color pale yellow to orange brown, fasciae orange brown to pale brown, sometimes obsolete; male with forewing costal fold present; hindwing usually shining white, but occasionally brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by valvae obliquely triangular; uncus moderate, finger-like; phallus pistol-shaped. Female genitalia are characterized by papillae anales moderate; sterigma bowl-shaped; ductus bursae long, membranous; signum long, dagger-shaped.
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 19–22 mm in length, width of head 1.6–2.0 mm. Head pale with some black pigmentation laterally (first instar larva with head entirely black). Body pale, unicolorous; pinacula small, concolorous with body. Anal fork present. SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 variable, but usually 3:3:3:2:2.
A more complete description of larval chaetotaxy is available in MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182..
The pupa is approximately 10 mm in length, pale green when first formed, becoming browner over time (Parker and Moyer 1972Parker and Moyer 1972:
Parker D. L., Moyer M. W. 1972. Biology of a leafroller, Archips negundanus , in Utah (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 65(6): 1415-1418.).
Archips negundana is most similar to A. semiferanus, which tends to be a much darker species, but some paler specimens may not be able to be separated. Both male and female genitalia are similar, but females exhibit differences in the scales on the ventral surface of the abdomen.
Archips negundana is broadly distributed in North America, but many records may represent misidentification in the literature with A. semiferanus, so the true range of this species is not clear.
The following account is summarized from Parker and Moyer (1972)Parker and Moyer (1972):
Parker D. L., Moyer M. W. 1972. Biology of a leafroller, Archips negundanus , in Utah (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 65(6): 1415-1418..
In Utah, Archips negundana completes a single generation per year. Eggs are laid in scale-covered, flattened masses of an average of 30 eggs per mass. Eggs hatch in early May after overwintering and larvae begin feeding socially on the same leaf for the first two instars. Third instar larvae become solitary and roll and web leaves of the host plant together. Most larvae pupate by mid June. Adults eclose in approximately 7-12 days and fly and mate into late July. Eggs are laid in the crevices on branches and trunks of trees.
Host plants
Maple and boxelder (Acer spp.) appear to be the preferred host, but other host records exist. Some of these may represent misidentifications of A. semiferanus and require verification.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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