Cenopis pettitana (Robinson) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Sparganothini)
Common names: maple-basswood leafroller
Synonyms: acerivorana (Sparganothis)
FWL: 9.0–11.0 mm (males); 12.0–14.0 (females)
Head yellow, rarely white; labial palpi yellow to brownish orange; thorax concolorous, sometimes brownish-orange anteriorly. Male forewing pale yellow to white; markings variable, from completely absent to well-developed and consisting of brownish-orange fasciae; forewing costal fold present, short; female forewing typically white, occasionally pale yellow, almost always lacking markings; hindwing of both sexes pure white.
Male genitalia are characterized by uncus slender, scarcely extending beyond large, narrow socii; valvae elliptical. Female genitalia are characterized by sterigma broad, well-sclerotized, with lateral lobes on each side of the ostium bursae; ductus bursae coiled once; and signum present as a relatively straight, narrow sclerite extending from the base of the corpus bursae well into the corpus bursae.
The following account is summarized from MacKay (1952)MacKay (1952):
MacKay, M. R. 1952. A new species of Sparganothis allied to S . pettitana (Rob.), with descriptions of larvae and adults of both species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist. 84: 233-242., MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182., and Powell and Brown (2012)Powell and Brown (2012):
Powell, J. A., Brown, J. W. 2012. Tortricoidea, Tortricidae (part): Tortricinae (part): Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R. W. (ed.). The Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., 230 pp..
Mature larva approximately 25 mm in length; head averages 1.9 mm in width. Head brownish, black pigmentation laterally; prothoracic shield yellow with V-shaped posterior mark on each side of the middorsal line, sometimes with darker pigmentation laterally; body green or yellow green; pinacula paler; legs brown to dark brown; anal fork moderately developed. SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 usually 3:3:3:2:2.
A complete description of larval chaetotaxy for Cenopis pettitana and its synonym Sparganothis acerivorana MacKay is given in MacKay (1952)MacKay (1952):
MacKay, M. R. 1952. A new species of Sparganothis allied to S . pettitana (Rob.), with descriptions of larvae and adults of both species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist. 84: 233-242. and MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182..
Cenopis pettitana is similar to several other species of Sparganothini but can usually be identified by its larger size, pale color, and poorly-developed markings (although some specimens do have somewhat distinct markings, especially along the costa).
Cenopis pettitana is broadly distributed in eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to Florida and eastern Texas. It appears to be less common in the southeastern United States.
The main flight period appears to be June and July, the period being slightly longer on both sides further south. Larvae feed by rolling leaves of the host plant; pupation occurs in leaf rolls or in a purse-like shelter within a larger shelter formed by the rest of the leaf. Adults eclose 7–10 days later. It is unclear which life stage overwinters.
Like the common name suggests, the primary hosts of C. pettitana are basswood (Tilia americana) and maple (Acer spp.), although several other species have been reported.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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