Platynota idaeusalis (Walker) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Sparganothini)
Common names: tufted apple bud moth
Synonyms: dioptrica (Phylacteritis), sentana (Platynota )
FWL: 6.0–12.5 mm
Forewings are gray with reddish brown to dark brown markings. Hindwings are grayish brown to dark brown. This species' common name is derived from the tufts of dark raised scales on the forewings. Labial palpi are elongate in both sexes. Males have a forewing costal fold. Hindwings are pale brown.
Male genitalia characterized by a long, slender uncus; elongate, well-developed socii; and rounded, elliptical valvae with a well-sclerotized dorsal margin. Female genitalia characterized by a bowl-like sterigma; and signum present as a small, 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 13–18 mm in length; width of head 1.2 mm on average; head brown with darker lateral pigmentation; prothoracic shield brown with black lateral markings; abdomen, anal shield brownish-green with darker pinacula; anal fork present with 5–8 teeth; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 numbering 3:3:3:2:2.
Detailed description and 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. 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..
The combination of elongate labial palpi and grayish forewings with reddish-brown markings is sufficient to separate this species from most other North American Tortricidae. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity.
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 idaeusalis is widely distributed southern Canada and the contiguous United States and is especially common in the east. It is absent from the southwestern United States and California and is rare in the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains.
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., Boyne et al. (1985)Boyne et al. (1985):
Boyne, J. V., Rock, G. C., Nelson, L. A. 1985. Diapause in Platynota idaeusalis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): effects of temperature, photoperiod, and time of inoculation in the field on diapause termination. Environmental Entomology. 14: 790–796., 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 idaeusalis completes two generations per year. Adults are present May-July and again in August-September.
Females deposit eggs in large masses that contain approximately 100 individual eggs on the upper surface of leaves. Early instars construct a silk web on the underside of a leaf along the midrib and feed inside. Later instars feed within a shelter constructed of rolled, folded, or tied leaves. Larvae can cause fruit damage by webbing leaves to fruit and feeding on the surface of the fruit. Larval feeding can lead to early fruit drop as well as cosmetic damage. Pupation occurs in a folded or rolled leaf.
Platynota idaeusalis is a pest of apple (Malus spp.) in the eastern United States, although the diverse list of host plants suggests that the larvae are general feeders.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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