Ecdytolopha Zeller (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Grapholitini)
The genus Ecdytolopha consists of 15 described species and ranges from Peru, north through Central America, the Caribbean, the United States to southern Canada.
Forewings are dark brown basally and light gray or white apically with a dark spot near the tornus in many species. Male genitalia are distinguished by the following characters: tegumen rounded; uncus and socii absent; valvae elongate, cucullus densely setose; and vesica with numerous deciduous cornuti. Female genitalia are distinguished by two signa in the corpus bursae, and the location of the ostium, which is usually located in a deep invagination of sternum VII. Adamski and Brown (2001)Adamski and Brown (2001):
Adamski, D., Brown, J. W. 2001. Systematic revision of the Ecdytolopha group of genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Grapholitini) in the New World. Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement 58. 86 pp. provide keys to males and females.
Larvae are similar to other species in the Cryptophlebia-Ecdytolopha group, with an enlarged L-pinaculum on the prothorax that extends beneath (and usually beyond) the spiracle. Larvae of Gymnandrosoma can be separated from those of Ecdytolopha by the distance between the V setae on A9: approximately the same as the distance between Vs on A8 in Ecdytolopha and 1.2-2.0 times the distance between Vs on A8 in Gymnandrosoma.
Two species of Ecdytolopha are treated on this site. Ecdytolopha fabivora (Meyrick) (formerly placed in Cydia) is a significant pest of beans (Fabaceae like lima beans, string beans, soybeans) in Central and South America. The native species, E. insiticiana Zeller, is known as the locust twig borer in economic literature. Larvae feed within new growth on locust (Robinia) and can cause tree disfigurement.
There are many records of Ecdytolopha larval interceptions at United States ports of entry; however, most of these probably refer to Gymnandrosoma, as species such as G. aurantianum were placed in Ecdytolopha prior to 2001.
Exotic species
Native species
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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