Pandemis limitata

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Pandemis limitata (Robinson) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Common names: three-lined leaf roller

Synonyms: limitana (Pandemis)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 7.0–9.5 mm (males); 9.0–12.0 mm (females)

Adults are brown with fasciate markings and bicolored gray and white hindwings. Males lack a forewing costal fold and have notched antennae.

Male genitalia are characterized by a broad, rounded uncus; circular valvae; and a pistol-shaped phallus. Female genitalia are characterized by a ductus bursae with a sclerotized portion near the ostium and a short, dagger-like signum with a large basal plate in the corpus bursae.

Larval Morphology

The following account is summarized from MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182..

Mature larva 20–23 mm in length; width of head 1.7–2.0 mm; head pale green with blackish lateral pigmentation; prothoracic shield concolorous with head but with black lateral markings; body, legs, anal shield green; pinacula large, setae very long; anal fork present and well-developed; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 numbering 3:3:3:2:2.

Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182..

Similar Species

Pandemis limitata is similar to P. pyrusana and P. canadana, and the three species are not easily separated. A combination of geographic distribution and wing color can assist in identification (see below). In the Pacific Northwest and central Rocky Mountains all three species are present, and a reliable species-level identification is difficult or impossible based solely on morphology.

The following table lists a combination of wing color and geographic distribution that can be used to identify many Pandemis individuals collected in the United States.

Species	Forewing color	Hindwing color	Sex scales on male 2nd abd. segment	Distribution
canadana	medium to dark brown	all gray	present	Maine, Colorado, Wyoming, Southern Canada
cerasana	straw to light brown	grayish brown	present	Pacific Northwest, British Columbia; Europe and Asia
heparana	medium brown	light to medium grayish brown	absent	Pacific Northwest; Northeastern United States and neighboring Canada; Europe and Asia
lamprosana	tan to light brown	white to light gray	absent	Eastern United States and neighboring Canada, south to Tennessee/North Carolina
limitata	straw to medium brown	gray and white	present	Eastern United States and neighboring Canada, generally absent in the U.S. west of the Rocky Mtns.
pyrusana	straw to medium brown	all white	present	Rocky Mtns. west to California, southern Alberta and British Columbia

 

MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182. examined several species of Nearctic Pandemis and could find no species-specific larval characters. Diagnostic characters for the genus include: SD2 on A1-8 on same pinaculum as SD1; L1 and L2 anterior to spiracle on A2-8; SV group on A1,2,7,8,9 usually 3:3:3:2:2; D2s on A8 as far apart as D1s; D1 on A9 on its own pinaculum; anal setae very long; anal comb with 6-8 teeth.

Distribution

Pandemis limitata ranges in southern Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and in the United States as far west as the Rocky Mountains. It is generally absent in the United States west of the Rockies. It is absent from the Gulf Coast. There is a single record from Durango, Mexico.

Biology

The following account is summarized from Chapman and Lienk (1971)Chapman and Lienk (1971):
Chapman, P. J., Lienk, S. E. 1971. Tortricid fauna of apple in New York (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); including an account of apple's occurrence in the state, especially as a naturalized plant. Spec. Publ. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 122 pp..

Pandemis limitata completes one or two generations over most of its range. Adults are present June through August.

Females lay eggs on the upper surface of leaves in large masses that contain between 60–182 eggs. Larvae feed on terminal leaf growth and occasionally on fruit. Those of the first generation complete development in late July or early August. Pupation occurs in the final larval feeding site and adults emerge in approximately 10 days. Third instar larvae of the second generation construct a hibernaculum in a protected site on small diameter growth and overwinter until the following spring, when they resume feeding on leaves and young fruits.

Larvae of P. limitata have been recorded feeding on a variety of deciduous woody plants. This species is considered a minor pest of apple (Malus spp.) in some regions.

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.