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Eucopina spp.

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Eucopina Gilligan & Wright (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Eucosmini)

Overview

Eucopina comprises twelve species of Nearctic moths which were formerly placed in the genus Eucosma Hübner (Gilligan et al. 2014Gilligan et al. 2014:
Gilligan, T. M., Wright, D. J., Munz, J., Yakobson, K., Simmons, M. P. 2014. Molecular phylogeny and revised classification of Eucosma Huuml;bner and related genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Eucosmini). Systematic Entomology. 29: 49-67.). All members of this genus whose biologies are known are specialists on members of Pinaceae, including fir (Abies spp.), spruce (Picea spp.), pine (Pinus spp.), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga spp.). Larvae bore into shoots, stems, or cones, where they feed on seeds. Powell (1968)Powell (1968):
Powell, J. A. 1968. Host associations and taxonomy of nearctic conifer cone moths in the genus Eucosma (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Hilgardia. 39: 1-36. provided an excellent review of ten of the twelve species.

The genus is morphological and molecularly distinct (Gilligan et al. 2014Gilligan et al. 2014:
Gilligan, T. M., Wright, D. J., Munz, J., Yakobson, K., Simmons, M. P. 2014. Molecular phylogeny and revised classification of Eucosma Huuml;bner and related genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Eucosmini). Systematic Entomology. 29: 49-67.). Wing pattern is remarkably uniform, with orange or red fasciate markings and silver, white, gray, or orange interfascial markings. Males possess a forewing costal fold, which can be used to separate Eucopina from other similar-looking Pinaceae-feeding olethreutines such as Rhyacionia and Retinia. Male genitalia are characterized by a weakly to moderately developed uncus; cucullus with a strongly developed ventral lobe overlapping ventral margin of the neck of the valva; and the presence of several short spiniform setae along the distal margin of the valva. Female genitalia characterized by a long, telescoping ovipositor; sterigma plate-like, semi-rectangular to ovate; and corpus bursae with one thorn-like signum.

No species of Eucopina are considered to be significant pests. We include this genus on this site because of the similarity in wing pattern of many species to Rhyacionia spp. and Retinia spp., which are considered pests at times.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here

Links

Additional photos and distribution maps for species in North America are available at Moth Photographers Group.
E. siskiyouana . © John W. Brown. Image used with permission.
E. siskiyouana. © John W. Brown. Image used with permission.
E. toculionana . © John W. Brown. Image used with permission.
E. toculionana. © John W. Brown. Image used with permission.
E. gloriola . © John W. Brown. Image used with permission.
E. gloriola. © John W. Brown. Image used with permission.
E . tocullionana male genitalia. © Dr. A. W. Thomas. Image used with permission.
E. tocullionana male genitalia. © Dr. A. W. Thomas. Image used with permission.