Eumarozia malachitana

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Eumarozia malachitana (Zeller) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Olethreutini)

Common names: sculptured moth, malachite moth

Adult Recognition

FWL: 6.0–7.0 mm

Frons white, vertex white to pale yellow or violet; thoracic tuft present; basal portion of forewing violet to dark purple; median patch large, nearly circular, olive green (faded to pale orange-brown in some individuals); distal portion of forewing brilliant pink-purple with an elongate green or pale orange brown semicircle present medially; male without forewing costal fold; hindwing pale gray to pale brown.

Male genitalia are characterized by a poorly-developed uncus; socii present; valvae with a single long, slender spine-like seta present near the base of the cucullus. Female genitalia are characterized by a ring-like sterigma; a long, singly-looped, sclerotized ductus bursae; and two, large triangular signa.

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 14 mm in length; width of head approximately 0.9 mm; head pale (yellowish in preserved specimens), black pigmentation present laterally; prothoracic shield, legs, and anal shield yellow; body green; anal fork moderately developed; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 typically 3:3:3:2:2.

Detailed figured 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

Eumarozia malachitiana is unlikely to be confused with any North American species of tortricid. Its distinctive forewing coloration should serve to separate it from all other species. There are several species of Eumarozia described from the Neotropics that do somewhat resemble E. malachitiana, but range and genitalia should be sufficient to differentiate them.

Distribution

Eumarozia malachitiana is broadly distributed in eastern North America, from Minnesota to New Brunswick, south to Florida and eastern Texas. It has also been recorded in Colorado and northern Mexico. Records from Central and South America (Heinrich 1926Heinrich 1926:
Heinrich, C. 1926. Revision of the North American moths of the subfamilies Laspeyresiinae and Olethreutinae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum. 132: 1-216.) are likely based on misidentifications of other Eumarozia species.

Biology

Larvae feed inside rolled leaves of the host plant. The flight period of adults depends on latitude, with adults active year-round in Florida and Texas, but restricted to May to September in the northern portions of its range. There are at least two generations per year in the north, but more further south.

The preferred larval host is common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). Other hosts are recorded as well, and these may be what larvae use in areas such as New Brunswick and Colorado, which are outside of the native range of persimmon.

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.