Platynota flavedana Clemens (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Sparganothini)
Synonyms: concursana (Teras), iridana (Platynota), laterana (Teras), tinctana (Teras)
FWL: 5.0–6.5 mm (males); 6.0–8.5 mm (females)
Platynota flavedana is sexually dimorphic. The male forewing is dark purplish brown basally and yellowish to orangish brown apically. The female forewing is brown to orangish brown with dark-brown to purplish-brown markings. Hindwings of both sexes are brown to orangish brown; males tend to exhibit more orange than females. Males have a long forewing costal fold that extends to mid-costa.
Male genitalia are characterized by a slender uncus that is broader at the base; elongate, well-developed socii; and rounded, elliptical valvae with a small triangular projection on the ventral margin. Female genitalia are characterized by a bowl-like sterigma; and signum present as a band-like sclerite at the base of the corpus bursae.
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. and Powell and Brown (2012)Powell and Brown (2012):
Powell, J. A., Brown, J. W. 2012. Tortricoidea, Tortricidae (part): Tortricinae (part): Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R. W. (ed.). The Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., 230 pp..
Mature larva approximately 13–21 mm in length; width of head 1.3–1.4 mm; head, prothoracic shield brownish yellow; body pale green; anal fork present with 5–8 teeth.
Detailed figures and descriptions of larval chaetotaxy are available in MacKay (1962a) and Powell and Brown (2012)Powell and Brown (2012):
Powell, J. A., Brown, J. W. 2012. Tortricoidea, Tortricidae (part): Tortricinae (part): Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R. W. (ed.). The Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., 230 pp..
Adults may appear similar to other species of Platynota, especially P. rostrana and P. labiosana. From P. rostrana, P. flavedana can can be distinguished by the scaling on the head: with a complex “hood” in P. rostrana compared to a simple one in P. flavedana. Platynota flavedana can be distinguished from P. labiosana by forewing color, pattern, and distribution. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity.
Larvae appear similar to those of Sparganothis sulfureana, and the two species are often found in similar habitats in the eastern United States. MacKay (1962a)MacKay (1962a):
MacKay, M. R. 1962a. Larvae of the North American Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 28: 1-182. stated that larvae of Platynota could be separated from similar species of Sparganothis by the small dorsal pinacula on A1-8, which are slightly elongate and cream colored in living individuals.
Platynota flavedana is widely distributed in the eastern United States. Records exist from New Hampshire and South Dakota south to eastern Texas and Florida. Additional records exist for northern Mexico, Costa Rica, and parts of the Caribbean (Powell and Brown 2012Powell and Brown 2012:
Powell, J. A., Brown, J. W. 2012. Tortricoidea, Tortricidae (part): Tortricinae (part): Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R. W. (ed.). The Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., 230 pp.).
The following account is summarized from Wilde and Semel (1966)Wilde and Semel (1966):
Wilde, G., Semel, M. 1966. The life history of Platynota flavedana, a leaf roller of strawberry. Journal of Economic Entomology. 59: 1037-1041. and Powell and Brown (2012)Powell and Brown (2012):
Powell, J. A., Brown, J. W. 2012. Tortricoidea, Tortricidae (part): Tortricinae (part): Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R. W. (ed.). The Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., 230 pp..
Platynota flavedana completes two annual generations over much of its range; a partial third generation may be present in the southern United States. Adults are present May-June and July-September.
Females lay eggs in masses that contain approximately 50 individual eggs on the upper surface of leaves. Larvae feed within a shelter constructed of tied or folded leaves. Larvae may cause economic damage by feeding on blossoms or fruit and will often web leaves together with blossoms and immature fruit. Mid-instar larvae of the last generation overwinter and resume feeding the following spring. Pupation occurs in webbed leaves.
Larvae of P. flavedana have been reported as pests of strawberry (Fragaria spp.), peach (Prunus persica), and rose (Rosa spp.). Other important hosts include cotton (Gossypium spp.) and citrus (Citrus spp.).
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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