Archips purpurana

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Archips purpurana (Clemens) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Synonyms: guritana (Cacoecia), gurgitana (Tortrix), lintneriana (Tortrix)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 8.5–11.0 mm (male); 10.5–12.5 mm (female)

Forewing color varies from brown to dark purplish brown, with brown to dark-brown markings and reticulations. The costal margin of the forewing is sinuate, especially in the female. The male forewing costal fold is expressed as a rolling of the costal margin that does not completely extend to the base of the wing.

Male genitalia are characterized by a finger-like uncus; absent socii; and large, membranous, nearly triangular valvae. Female genitalia are characterized by a long, straight ductus bursae with a cestum; and a long, dagger-like signum in the 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. and 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..

Last instar larvae are 20–30 mm in length. The abdomen is pale bluish green. The head is yellowish brown. The prothoracic shield is yellowish brown, with pair of semi-rectangular black spots on the posterolateral margin. The thoracic legs are pale and unmarked.

A more detailed account 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..

Similar Species

Adults of Archips purpurana could be confused with Choristoneura rosaceana but can be distinguished by the more strongly sinuate costal margin in the females and proportionally broader forewing in the males.

Late instar larvae can be easily confused with those of Clepsis melaleucanus, which are similar in appearance and occur in the same habitat.

Distribution

Archips purpurana is broadly distributed throughout eastern North America from Nova Scotia south to North Carolina and Tennessee and west to Alberta.

Biology

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 purpurana completes a single generation over most of its range. Adults are present in June and July.

Females lay eggs in masses, presumably on the upper surface of leaves. Early instar larvae feed on foliage, occasionally webbing leaves to fruit. Overwintering occurs as a third instar larva, either in fallen leaves on the ground or possibly in the host tree. In the spring, larvae crawl up into any non-coniferous host to complete development. Pupation occurs in the final larval feeding site.

Larvae of A. purpurana are highly polyphagous and have been recorded feeding on plants in approximately 20 families. Although larvae have been recorded from economically important species such as apple (Malus spp.), it is likely that A. purpurana is a general feeder that utilizes any readily available host.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here

Links

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