Histura perseavora Brown (Tortricidae: Chlidanotinae: Polyorthini)
FWL: 5.0–5.5 mm
Forewing pattern bicolored with dark gray-brown basal third and pale copper distal two-thirds, three linear patches of raised scales, fringe pale copper to gray-brown. Hindwing grayish white, fringe concolorous.
Male genitalia are distinguished by the medially narrowed transtilla and the presence of a linear patch of long spines in the distal half of the phallus. Female genitalia typical of Polyorthini: papillae anales narrow, corpus bursae not differentiated from ductus bursae and without signa.
The following account is summarized from Brown and Hoddle (2010).
Mature larva 6–7 mm in length; body cream pink with moderately large, conspicuous, dark brown pinacula. See Brown and Hoddle (2010)Brown and Hoddle (2010):
Brown, J. W., Hoddle, M. S. 2010. A new species of Histura Razowski (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Polyorthini) from Guatemala attacking avocados ( Persea americana ) (Lauraceae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 102(1): 10-21. for a complete description of larval chaetotaxy and pupae.
Adults of several species of Histura and Histurodes are similar to Histura perseavora. Examination of the genitalia may be required. Larval feeding damage is similar to Stenoma catenifer (Depressariidae), another pest of avocado (Persea americana).
Histura perseavora is currently only known from Guatemala between elevations of 1,500-1,800 meters but could be expected anywhere avocado (Persea americana) is grown around this elevation.
The larvae of Histura perseavora damage fruit and fruit pedicels of avocados (Persea americana) and will also mine young branches when fruit is scarce. In Guatemala, larval feeding, pupation, and subsequent eclosion of adults occurred between December and March (Brown and Hoddle 2010Brown and Hoddle 2010:
Brown, J. W., Hoddle, M. S. 2010. A new species of Histura Razowski (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Polyorthini) from Guatemala attacking avocados ( Persea americana ) (Lauraceae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 102(1): 10-21.).
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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