Sparganothis sulfureana (Clemens) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Sparganothini)
Common names: Sparganothis fruitworm
Synonyms: belfrageana (var.), euphronopa (Sparganothis), fulvoroseana (Croesia?), gallivorana (Croesia?), gratana (Conchylis), virgineana (Croesia), virginiana (Croesia?)
FWL: 6.5–10.0 mm
Forewings are bright yellow with orange to purplish markings. Wing pattern is variable, but most individuals have two marks along the costa and a "V" shaped mark extending from the costa to dorsum. This pattern creates the appearance of an "X" when the moth is resting with its wings folded. Other individuals may be nearly patternless or have extensive reticulations. Males lack a forewing costal fold. Hindwings are light gray to grayish brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by a long, slender uncus; a mesally spined transtilla; and membranous, somewhat triangular valvae. Female genitalia are characterized by a quadrate sterigma with elongate anterolateral margins; a twice-coiled ductus bursae; and signum present as a short, hollow thorn from a short, irregular sclerotized band in 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 Sandberg and Passoa (1989).
Mature larva approximately 13–17 mm in length; width of head 1.2–1.3 mm; head brownish yellow with darker pigment present laterally; prothoracic shield brownish yellow with black laterally banding; legs brown; body yellowish to grayish green with lighter, conspicuous pinacula; anal shield yellowish; anal fork present with 6–9 teeth; 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..
Some adult forms are similar to other species of Sparganothis, including S. lycopodiana and S. unifasciana. Cenopis reticulatana is also superficially similar.
Sparganothis sulfureana occurs from Nova Scotia to Alberta, south to Florida, Utah, and Arizona. There is a single record from Washington. It has also been recorded from The Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, southern Mexico, and Belize (Ferguson et al. 1991Ferguson et al. 1991:
Ferguson, D. C., Hilburn, D. J., Wright, B. 1991. The Lepidoptera of Bermuda: their food plants, biogeography, and means of dispersal. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada. 123(S158): 3-105., 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 Beckwith (1938)Beckwith (1938):
Beckwith, C. S. 1938. Sparganothis sulfureana Clem., a cranberry pest in New Jersey. Journal of Economic Entomology. 31: 253-256. 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..
Sparganothis sulfureana completes two generations per year. A third generation may occur in the southern portion of its range. Adults are present from mid-June to July and August to September.
Females lay eggs in masses that contain 20–50 individual eggs on the upper surface of leaves. Larvae of the first (spring) generation feed on flower buds and leaves; those of the second (summer) generation feed on leaves and fruit. Overwintering occurs as an early instar larva in leaf debris on the ground.
Larvae of S. sulfureana are polyphagous and have been recorded feeding on plants in nearly 20 families. This species is best known as a serious pest of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), where it causes damage to both leaves and fruit.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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