Endothenia hebesana

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Endothenia hebesana (Walker) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Olethreutini)

Common names: verbena bud moth

Synonyms: adjustana (Endothenia), daeckeana (Olethreutes), fillerea (Endothenia), fullerea (Penthina), inexpectana (Endothenia), inexpertana (Carpocapsa), kiyosatoensi (Endothenia), torquata (Argyroploce), toteniana (Endothenia)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 4.5–8.5 mm

Fresh specimens have a bluish-gray cast to the forewings with varying orange-brown scaling. Three gray spots edged with black are present near the termen. Worn specimens may be difficult to distinguish from similar species without a genitalic dissection. Males lack a forewing costal fold but otherwise are very similar to females.

Male genitalia are characterized by a slender, apically expanding uncus with stout setae; long, slender valvae with a cluster of dense, stout setae at the base of the valvae; and the absence of cornuti in the vesica. Female genitalia are characterized by a collar-like, outwardly projecting flange bordering the ostium posteriorly and laterally; and a single, pocket-like signum in the corpus bursae.

Larval Morphology

The following account is summarized from MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..

Mature larva approximately 10 mm in length; width of head 0.8–1.0 mm; head, prothoracic shield black; body variable in color, but many individuals yellowish or reddish with inconspicuous pinacula; anal fork present with 4–6 teeth; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 numbering 3:3:3:2:2.

Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..

Similar Species

Some species of Paralobesia species resemble Endothenia hebesana in wing coloration and pattern. Worn specimens of E. hebesana may resemble a variety of North American olethreutines, and a genitalic dissection may be necessary to confirm identity.

Larvae are morphologically similar to those of Lobesia and Paralobesia, including L. botrana and P. viteana. The D2 setae on A9 are on a joined "saddle" pinaculum, the D1 and SD1 setae on A9 are on a single pinaculum, and the SV group on A7 is trisetose (SV counts 3:3:3:2:2). However, it unlikely that larvae of E. hebesana would be encountered on the same hosts as L. botrana or P. viteana.

Distribution

Endothenia hebesana is present in eastern North America as well as the Pacific Coast from California to Washington. Records from Alaska, Montana, and Arizona require confirmation. It has also been reported from Bermuda, China, Finland, Japan, Norway, and Russia.

Biology

The following account is summarized from Miller (1983b)Miller (1983b):
Miller, W. E. 1983b. Nearctic Endothenia species: a new synonymy, a misidentification, and a revised status (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Great Lakes Entomologist. 16: 5-12..

Larvae develop in the seeds of their host plants. Adults are present in mid April through September, many times in large numbers. Multiple generations are produced in southern locations.

Larvae of this species have been recorded feeding on members of at least eight plant families. In some areas it is considered a minor pest of ornamentals.

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.