Clepsis fucana

Status

NATIVE

PORT INTERCEPT | DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Clepsis fucana (Walsingham) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Synonyms: busckana (Clepsis), victoriana (Cacoecia)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 6.0–10.5 mm

Forewing color varies from dark brown to white. Most individuals have a well-defined median fascia and costal spot, although some may be nearly unmarked. Hindwing color is primarily white. Males lack a forewing costal fold.

Male genitalia are characterized by a well-developed uncus; an incomplete transtilla divided into two spined lobes; and valvae with a small membranous lobe on the apex. Female genitalia are characterized by a long, straight ductus bursae without a cestum and corpus bursae without a 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 approximately 13 mm in length; width of head 1.0–1.2 mm; head yellow, dark pigmentation presentation laterally; body pale yellow or green; pinacula moderately large with long setae; anal fork present; 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

Clepsis fucana, C. penetralis, C. peritana, and C. virescana are all similar in appearance. Clepsis fucana is generally larger than the other three species and is found only on the West Coast. Clepsis penetralis has only been recorded from Colorado, Utah, and Vermont, although it may be misidentified in collections making its true distribution unknown. Clepsis peritana is the most commonly collected Clepsis, and it can be found throughout the United States and southern Canada. Clepsis virescana is generally larger than C. peritana, and males possess a forewing costal fold. The following table lists diagnostic features that can be used to separate these four Clepsis species.

Species	FWL	Male forewing costal fold	Male valva membranous lobe	Female ductus bursae	Female signum	Distribution
fucana	6.5–10.5 mm	absent	present as small lobe	straight	absent	West Coast
penetralis	6.0–7.5 mm	absent	present as moderate lobe	weakly twisted	absent	Unknown; recorded from Colorado, Utah, and Vermont
peritana	4.5–7.5 mm	absent	absent; entire apex is membranous	tightly coiled	absent	United States and southern Canada
virescana	6.0–9.0 mm	present	present as small lobe	straight	present	United States and southern Canada

Distribution

Clepsis fucana occurs along the west coast of North America from British Columbia south to at least Monterey County, California.

Biology

The following account is summarized from Powell (1964b)Powell (1964b):
Powell, J. A. 1964b. Biological and taxonomic studies on tortricine moths, with reference to the species in California. University of California Publications in Entomology. Vol. 32. 317 pp..

Clepsis fucana completes two generations per year. Adults are most common in April to June and again in September and October. Larvae hollow out terminals of the host and feed on leaves that are webbed to the larval shelter.

Larvae of C. fucana have been recorded feeding on plants in a variety of 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.