Planotortrix excessana

Status

EXOTIC

PORT INTERCEPT

Taxonomy

Planotortrix excessana (Walker) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Common names: greenheaded leafroller

Synonyms: biguttana (Teras)

Note: There are at least two pheromonally distinct races assigned to P. excessana which may represent distinct species.

Adult Recognition

FWL: 8.0–12.0 mm (males); 10.0–14.5 mm (females)

Forewings are pale orange brown to dark reddish brown. Males are generally darker than females. Most individuals lack prominent wing markings except for a dark spot in the distal one-third of the forewing. Some individuals have a series of faint dark spots covering the wing and/or a white or pale spot in the basal one-third of the wing. Males have a forewing costal fold. The hindwings are pale brown. 

Male genitalia are characterized by an uncus with a narrow base and broad, rounded apex; a spined transtilla; and broad, subrectangular valvae. Female genitalia are characterized by robust, slightly hooked signum in the corpus bursae.

Larval Morphology

The following account is summarized from Dugdale et al. (2005)Dugdale et al. (2005):
Dugdale, J. S., Gleeson, D., Clunie, L. H., Holder, P. W. 2005. A diagnostic guide to Tortricidae encountered in field surveys and quarantine inspections in New Zealand: Morphological and molecular characters. National Plant Pest Reference Laboratory. 161 pp..

Last instar larvae are approximately 25 mm long and entirely green. The head is transparent light brown to green and may have faint brown mottling. The prothoracic shield is pale green with no lateral shading. An anal comb is present with 10–12 teeth.

Similar Species

Adults are similar to other Planotortrix and the various species may be difficult to separate, even with a genitalic dissection. Dugdale et al. (2005)Dugdale et al. (2005):
Dugdale, J. S., Gleeson, D., Clunie, L. H., Holder, P. W. 2005. A diagnostic guide to Tortricidae encountered in field surveys and quarantine inspections in New Zealand: Morphological and molecular characters. National Plant Pest Reference Laboratory. 161 pp. provided descriptions and illustrations for P. notophaea and P. octo in addition to P. excessana. Langhoff et al. (2009)Langhoff et al. (2009):
Langhoff, P., Authier, A., Buckley, T. R., Dugdale, J. S., Rodrigo, A., Newcomb, R. D. 2009. DNA barcoding of the endemic New Zealand leafroller moth genera, Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix . Molecular Ecology Resources. 9: 691-698. used DNA barcodes to distinguish different species of Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix.

Distribution

Planotortrix excessana is native to New Zealand where it is present on both the North and South Islands. Reports of it being introduced into Hawaii are based on misidentifications of other introduced tortricids such as Amorbia emigratella or Epiphyas postvittana (Austin and Rubinoff 2022Austin and Rubinoff 2022:
Austin, K.A., Rubinoff, D. 2022. Eleven new records of Lepidoptera in the Hawaiian Islands including corrections to the Hawaii Terrestrial Arthropod Checklist. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 142: 49&-74.).

Larvae of P. excessana are occasionally intercepted at United States ports of entry on Fragaria, Malus, or Prunus originating in New Zealand.

Biology

The following account is summarized from Wearing et al. (1991)Wearing et al. (1991):
Wearing C. H., Thomas, W. P., Dugdale, J. W., Danthanarayana, W. 1991. Tortricid pests of pome and stonefruits, Australian and New Zealand species., pp. 453-472. In : van der Geest, L. P. S., Evenhuis, H. H. (eds.), Tortricid Pests: Their Biology, Natural Enemies, and Control. World Crop Pests, Vol. 5. Elsevier, Amsterdam..

Planotortrix excessana completes 2–3 generations per year. On the South Island of New Zealand, adults are present October-December, February-March, and April-May.

Females lay eggs in masses that contain an average of 54 individual eggs. Egg masses of P. excessana have an opaque coating while those of P. octo are coated with white "particles." Early instars construct a silk shelter on the underside of leaves. Later instars web leaves together or web leaves to fruit and may cause economic damage by feeding directly on the surface of fruit. Pupation occurs in the larval shelter.

Larvae of P. excessana have been reported feeding on more than 100 species of plants; a partial host list is presented below. This species is a pest of strawberries (Fragaria spp.), stone fruits, and walnuts (Juglans spp.) in New Zealand.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here