Archips xylosteana

Status

EXOTIC

PORT INTERCEPT

Taxonomy

Archips xylosteana (Linnaeus) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Common names: apple leaf roller, brown oak tortrix, variegated golden tortrix

Synonyms: characterana (Tortrix), densata (Phalaena), gilvana (Tortrix), hybnerana (Pyralis), obliquana (Pyralis), pallens (var.), westriniana (Tortrix)

Subspecies: A. xylosteana sabrinae (France)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 7.0–10.0 mm (male); 9.0–11.0 mm (female)

Forewing ground color is pale pinkish brown. Forewing markings are dark reddish brown and include a basal patch and a well-defined median fascia that is narrow at the costa and broadened at the dorsum. The subterminal fascia gives the appearance of a costal spot on many individuals. Hindwings are grayish brown. Males have a forewing costal fold.

Male genitalia are characterized by a large, parallel-sided uncus, rounded valva, and well-defined sacculus with a short projection. Female genitalia are characterized by a very long ductus bursae with cestum and a signum in the round corpus bursae.

Larval Morphology

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.].

Last instar larvae are greenish gray to whitish gray. The head and prothoracic shield are black or dark brown and are separated by a white line. Thoracic legs are dark brown or black.

Similar Species

Archips xylosteana can appear similar to other Archips, including A. betulana, A. crataegana, A. grisea, A. magnoliana, A. oporana, A. podana, and A. rosana. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity. Hoebeke et al. (2008)Hoebeke et al. (2008):
Hoebeke, E. R., Wheeler, A. G., Brown, J. W. 2008. Archips xylosteana (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a Palearctic leafroller new to North America. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 110: 789-795. provides useful diagnoses to separate A. xylosteana from several similar Palearctic and Nearctic species.

Distribution

Archips xylosteana is distributed throughout Europe, Asia (China, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Siberia, Turkey), and northern Africa (Algeria). It was first discovered in North America (Newfoundland, Canada) in 2005. As of 2025, there are no established populations in the United States. 

Biology

The following account is summarized from 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. and Hoebeke et al. (2008)Hoebeke et al. (2008):
Hoebeke, E. R., Wheeler, A. G., Brown, J. W. 2008. Archips xylosteana (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a Palearctic leafroller new to North America. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 110: 789-795..

Archips xylosteana completes a single generation per year. Adults are present in late June to mid August. Females deposit eggs in masses on branches or tree trunks. Eggs overwinter and first instar larvae hatch the following spring. Early instars feed on leaves and buds while later instars produce a leaf roll and skeletonize the leaf from inside. Pupation occurs from mid May to June in a folded leaf and adults emerge in 9–12 days.

In Europe this species is considered a minor pest of fruit trees, where it can cause damage to buds and new foliage. Larvae may also feed on fruitlets causing superficial damage.

Larvae of A. xylosteana feed on a variety of tree species.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here

Links

Additional photos and a distribution map of this species in North America are available at Moth Photographers Group.