Choristoneura obsoletana (Walker) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)
Common names: obsolete-banded leafroller moth
Synonyms: sanbornana (Tortrix), seminolana (Tortrix), transiturana (Cacoecia), vesperana (Lozotaenia)
FWL: 7.5–10.0 mm (males); 11.0–12.0 mm (females)
Head and thorax red orange to red brown; forewing with fasciae usually nearly obsolete and poorly-defined, median fascia often only visible along costa and inner margin; hindwing pale brown; male without forewing costal fold; females often with a strong red wash to the forewing.
Male genitalia are characterized by triangular valvae with dense, fine spicules on the sacculus and a moderate, finger-like uncus (Dang 1992Dang 1992:
Dang, P. T. 1992. Morphological study of male genitalia with phylogenetic inference of Choristoneura Lederer (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist. 124: 7-48.). Female genitalia are characterized by a long, thin ductus bursae and a large, hook-like signum.
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..
Length of mature larva 20–22 mm; width of head 1.9–2.2 mm; head brownish yellow to orange with darker lateral pigmentation; prothoracic shield brownish yellow or yellow, with darker margins; legs, pinacula brown; body greenish brown; anal shield brownish yellow; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 numbering 3:3:3:2:2.
Detailed figures of 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..
Choristoneura obsoletana is similar to several species of Choristoneura, especially C. parallela and C. zapulata (the latter not treated on this site) as males of all three of these species lack a forewing costal fold and have a convex rather than sinuous costal margin. The fasciae of C. obsoletana are much more poorly-defined than in C. parallela. Dissection may be required to separate C. zapulata, but distribution may be enough: C. zapulata is primarily boreal in distribution whereas C. obsoletana occurs south of the boreal zone and is especially common along the Gulf Coast.
Choristoneura obsoletana is distributed in the eastern United States south of the boreal zone, ranging as far north as northern Illinois and Massachusetts. It appears to be more common in the southeast, especially in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Western records are dubious and likely refer to misidentifications of similar Choristoneura species or other species of Archipini such as Aphelia alleniana.
Little is known of the biology of Choristoneura obsoletana beyond the known host plants listed below. Adults can be found from late May to September, with Florida records from as late as October. Several generations likely occur per year, especially in southern states.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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