Pseudogalleria inimicella (Zeller) (Tortricidae: Olethreutrinae: Grapholitini)
Common name: inimical borer moth
FWL: 7.9–10.4 mm (males); 10.3–11.1 mm (females)
Head, thorax, and labial palpi pale yellow tan; thorax pale yellow brown to red-brown; male hindlegs without sex scales; forewing ground color pale gray, basal area pale yellow tan, middle of wing red-brown, distinctive red-brown curved line along distal portion of wing, from approximately just below apex to mid-termen; hindwing brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by uncus and socii absent, valvae moderately short, enlarged distally with large spines on inner face. Female genitalia are characterized by simple, narrow papillae anales; corpus bursae without distinct band of scobinations; signa present as a pair of short, opposed, knife-like signa.
The larva was first described by MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338.. The following account is summarized from Adamski and Brown (2001)Adamski and Brown (2001):
Adamski, D., Brown, J. W. 2001. Systematic revision of the Ecdytolopha group of genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Grapholitini) in the New World. Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement 58. 86 pp..
Mature larva 17–19 mm in length; spicules moderately distinct; pinacula extremely large, lacking spicules; body pale, slender; prothoracic shield yellow with faint pale brown specks; L-group trisetose on prothorax; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 usually 3:3:3:2:2 but somewhat variable; anal fork absent.
A detailed description of larval chaetotaxy is available in Adamski and Brown (2001)Adamski and Brown (2001):
Adamski, D., Brown, J. W. 2001. Systematic revision of the Ecdytolopha group of genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Grapholitini) in the New World. Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement 58. 86 pp..
Pupa 9.0–11.5 mm in length, 2.5–2.8 mm in width. A detailed description is available in Adamski and Brown (2001)Adamski and Brown (2001):
Adamski, D., Brown, J. W. 2001. Systematic revision of the Ecdytolopha group of genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Grapholitini) in the New World. Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement 58. 86 pp..
Externally, adults are more likely to be confused with Galleria mellonella (Pyralidae) than most tortricids. Galleria mellonella is a frequent pest of bee hives, with larvae eating the wax, cast skins, and dried materials in weakened or neglected colonies. Adults average larger than Pseudogalleria inimicella (FWL 10–16 mm compared to 7.9–11.1 in P. inimicella) and lack the curved line present along the termen present in P. inimicella. Genitalia readily separate the two species.
Pseudogalleria inimicella is widespread in eastern North America, from Maine to Florida, west to Texas, Indiana, and Manitoba.
Larvae bore in the roots and stems of Smilax (Smilacaceae). Little else is known about their biology. Adults can be found from April through September throughout most of their range and most of the year in Texas and Florida. A single generation per year is the likely scenario in the northern United States, but multiple generations may occur per year southern United States.
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Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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