Henricus umbrabasana

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Henricus umbrabasana (Kearfott) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Cochylini)

Synonyms: umbrabasana (Commophila)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 7.5–9.0 mm

Forewings are yellowish white with a well-defined brown to dark-brown basal patch and a black spot in the median fascia. Males lack a forewing costal fold. Male genitalia are characterized by uncus absent; socii large, setose; transtilla with spined medial process; and elongate, tapering valvae. Female genitalia are characterized by a large, membranous ostium; short ductus bursae; and corpus bursae with numerous minute spines on inner surface.

Larval Morphology

Opler (1974)Opler (1974):
Opler, P. A. 1974. Biology, ecology, and host specificity of microlepidoptera associated with Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae). University of California Press. vol. 75. 83 pp. briefly described the larva, but no detailed descriptions of larval chaetotaxy exist.

Mature larvae are dark maroon with a brown or black head and black prothoracic shield.

Similar Species

In California, adult Henricus umbrabasana are commonly found in Epiphyas postvittana pheromone traps. Distinguishing between individuals of these two species by wing pattern may be difficult if the forewings are heavily stained from sticky traps. The two species can be separated by the male forewing costal fold: present in E. postvittana, but absent in H. umbrabasana. It could be also confused with H. cognata, a similar species found in southern Arizona and Mexico.

Distribution

Henricus umbrabasana has been recorded from California north to southern Washington.

Biology

The following account is summarized from Opler (1974)Opler (1974):
Opler, P. A. 1974. Biology, ecology, and host specificity of microlepidoptera associated with Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae). University of California Press. vol. 75. 83 pp. and Powell (2006)Powell (2006):
Powell, J. A. 2006. Database of Lepidoptera rearing lots, 1960-2005. University of California Berkeley, CA..

Henricus umbrabasana completes a single generation per year. Adults are present from May through September. Eggs are laid during the summer or fall and overwinter until the next spring. Larvae emerge in March and feed on young leaves and shoots inside a shelter covered in frass and debris. Pupation occurs within a cocoon covered in frass and debris. Larvae are only known to feed on oak (Quercus spp.).

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.