Choristoneura parallela

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Choristoneura parallela (Robinson) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Common names: parallel-banded leafroller moth, spotted fireworm

Adult Recognition

FWL: 8.5–11.0 mm (males); 11.0–12.0 mm (females)

Head and thorax red orange to brown; forewing with costa concave in females, straight in males; forewing ground color red orange to pale brown; fasciae well-developed, distinct, brown, often with strong red or purple shading, especially in females; males without forewing costal fold; hindwing pale brown to orange.

Male genitalia are characterized by a large, broad angular process on the ventral margin of the sacculus at two-thirds length (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. 

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..

Mature larva 19–25 mm in length; width of head 1.6–1.8 mm; head orange; prothoracic shield orange, black on posterior, anteromedial, and anterolateral margins; legs black; body dark green, pinacula creamy white; prolegs yellow; anal fork well-developed; 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..

Similar Species

Choristoneura parallela is very similar to several other species of Choristoneura, especially C. rosaceana and C. obsoletana. Males of C. parallela lack a forewing costal fold and sinuous costal margin, both of which are present in C. rosaceana. The fasciae are much more well-defined in C. parallela than in C. obsoletana.

Distribution

Choristoneura parallela is widespread in eastern North America, ranging as far north as Wisconsin, southern Ontario, and Vermont and as far south as Florida and eastern Texas. Records in the literature from California are dubious and require verification.

Biology

The following account is summarized from Stuart and Polavarapu (1998)Stuart and Polavarapu (1998):
Stuart, R.J., Polavarapu, S. 1998. Oviposition preferences of the polyphagous moth Choristoneura parallela (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): effects of plant species, leaf size, and experimental design. Environmental Entomology. 27: 102-109..

In New Jersey, two generations occur per year, with adults eclosing in early June and again in early August. Egg masses are laid in clusters of up to 350 eggs on the surface of leaves of the host plant. Larvae web leaves together and feed on both leaves and fruit of the plant. Overwintering occurs as second instar larvae. Choristoneura parallela is most well-known for being a pest of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon). Females rarely oviposit on cranberry and only reach this host by ballooning. Eggs and/or larvae of this species have been recorded from 23 plant species in 19 different families.

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.