Ctenopseustis obliquana

Status

EXOTIC

PORT INTERCEPT

Taxonomy

Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Common names: brown-headed leafroller

Synonyms: charactana (Cacoecia), ropeana (Tortrix), spurcatana (Teras), transtrigana (Sciaphila), turbulentana (Sciaphila)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 7.5–12.0 mm

Adults are brown to brownish gray with a variable wing pattern. Most individuals have several dark markings along the costa, including a remnant of the median fascia. Males have a long forewing costal fold that extends to half the length of the wing. Hindwings are mottled in both males and females.

Male genitalia are characterized by a well-developed, broad uncus; spined transtilla; and subrectangular valvae. Female genitalia are characterized a sclerotized portion at the junction of the ductus bursae and corpus bursae and a robust, slightly curved signum with a capitulum. 

Larval Morphology

The following account is summarized from Dugdale et al. (2005)Dugdale et al. (2005):
Dugdale, J. S., Gleeson, D., Clunie, L. H., Holder, P. W. 2005. A diagnostic guide to Tortricidae encountered in field surveys and quarantine inspections in New Zealand: Morphological and molecular characters. National Plant Pest Reference Laboratory. 161 pp. and supplemented by photos of mature larvae. No detailed descriptions of larval chaetotaxy exist.

Late instar larvae are approximately 20 mm in length with conspicuous pinacula. The head is dark brown to reddish brown and may be marked with faint red mottling. The prothoracic shield has dark shading on the lateral and posterior margins. Earlier instars have a black head and prothoracic shield.

Similar Species

The brown-headed leafroller complex in New Zealand contains several species that are not easy to distinguish. Dugdale et al. (2005)Dugdale et al. (2005):
Dugdale, J. S., Gleeson, D., Clunie, L. H., Holder, P. W. 2005. A diagnostic guide to Tortricidae encountered in field surveys and quarantine inspections in New Zealand: Morphological and molecular characters. National Plant Pest Reference Laboratory. 161 pp. recommended using DNA sequence data to separate members of this complex. Langhoff et al. (2009)Langhoff et al. (2009):
Langhoff, P., Authier, A., Buckley, T. R., Dugdale, J. S., Rodrigo, A., Newcomb, R. D. 2009. DNA barcoding of the endemic New Zealand leafroller moth genera, Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix . Molecular Ecology Resources. 9: 691-698. provided DNA barcode data for distinguishing Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix.

Distribution

Ctenopseustis obliquana is a native of New Zealand. Reports of it being introduced into Hawaii are based on misidentifications (Austin and Rubinoff 2022Austin and Rubinoff 2022:
Austin, K.A., Rubinoff, D. 2022. Eleven new records of Lepidoptera in the Hawaiian Islands including corrections to the Hawaii Terrestrial Arthropod Checklist. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 142: 49&-74.).

Biology

The following account is summarized from Wearing et al. (1991)Wearing et al. (1991):
Wearing C. H., Thomas, W. P., Dugdale, J. W., Danthanarayana, W. 1991. Tortricid pests of pome and stonefruits, Australian and New Zealand species., pp. 453-472. In : van der Geest, L. P. S., Evenhuis, H. H. (eds.), Tortricid Pests: Their Biology, Natural Enemies, and Control. World Crop Pests, Vol. 5. Elsevier, Amsterdam..

Ctenopseustis obliquana completes 4–6 overlapping generations per year. Adults are most common from November to March. Females lay eggs in smooth masses composed of up to 150 individual eggs. Early instar larvae web together shoot tips or roll leaves. Later instars feed on leaves, buds, and fruit of the host plant. Larvae typically undergo five to six instars. Larvae may cause economic damage by webbing leaves to fruit. Pupation occurs in the larval nest.

The brown-headed leafroller complex is an important horticultural pest in New Zealand. Larvae are highly polyphagous and have been recorded feeding on plants in more than 20 families.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here