Argyrotaenia quadrifasciana (Fernald) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)
Common names: lesser all-green leaf roller, four-banded leaf roller
FWL: 6.5–8.5 mm
Forewings are bright yellow with variable orange to orange-brown markings and reticulations. There are often two conspicuous orange fasciae running from costa to dorsum, but these may be obscured by the reticulated pattern in some individuals. The male hindwings are dark brown, while the female hindwings are golden brown. Males lack a forewing costal fold.
Male genitalia are characterized by a relatively short, but still well-developed uncus; reduced socii; and rounded, membranous valvae with a well-developed sacculus. Female genitalia are characterized by a ductus bursae with a sclerotized plate near the ostium and a robust, hook-shaped signum in the corpus bursae.
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 larvae 12–17 mm in length; width of head 1.2–1.4 mm; head, prothoracic shield, body yellowish green, unmarked; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 numbering 3:3:3:2:2.
Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182..
Adults of Argyrotaenia quercifoliana may appear similar to those of A. quadrifasciana . The two species can be distinguished by forewing color: bright yellow to orange in A. quadrifasciana versus pale yellow in A. quercifoliana. In addition, the hindwings of A. quercifoliana are white, while those of A. quadrifasciana are dark brown or golden brown.
The green, unmarked larva can be confused with the larva of many other tortricids, including other species of Argyrotaenia, Epiphyas postvittana, and Choristoneura rosaceana.
Argyrotaenia quadrifasciana is distributed in eastern North America, where it is more common in the Northeast and southern Canada.
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..
Argyrotaenia quadrifasciana completes one generation per year. Adults are present in late June and July.
Females deposit eggs in masses that contain approximately 50 individual eggs on the upper surface of leaves of the host plant. Early instar larvae skeletonize the underside of a leaf near the midrib under a patch of silk. Third instar larvae leave the feeding site and construct a hibernaculum in the crotches of twigs and bark crevices, where they overwinter until the following spring. In the spring, larvae leave the hibernaculum and construct a nest by webbing together terminal shoot growth, where they feed inside on shoots and buds. Pupation occurs in the final larval feeding site.
Larvae of Argyrotaenia quadrifasciana have only been recorded feeding on plants in the Rosaceae.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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