Spilonota ocellana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Eucosmini)
Common names: eye-spotted bud moth
Synonyms: centralasiae (ssp.), comitana (Tortrix), luscana (Pyralis), occulana (Penthina), pyrifoliana (Hedya), zellerana (Tmetocera)
FWL: 5.5–8.0 mm
Adults are grayish brown and are found in both light and dark forms. Forewing markings include a wide median fascia that ranges in color from white to cream to gray, a dark-brown mark on the dorsum proximal to the tornus, and a series of small black dashes in the ocellus. In many individuals the median fascia is confluent with the postmedian and preterminal fasciae, creating an overall gray or whitish appearance. Males have a notch at the base of the antenna and lack a forewing costal fold. The hindwings are brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by the absence of an uncus; nub-like socii; and thin, hook-shaped valvae with a prominent, thorn-like seta present on the apex of the cucullus. Female genitalia are characterized by a bilobed, plate-like sterigma and two thorn-like signa in the corpus bursae.
The following account is summarized from MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..
Mature larva approximately 9–14 mm in length; width of head 1.0 mm on average; head reddish-brown with darker lateral pigmentation; prothoracic shield reddish-brown to black; legs brown; body gray to dull reddish-brown; pinacula large, darker than body color; anal shield yellowish to dark brown; anal fork present with 3–8 teeth; SV count on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 usually 3:3:2:2:2.
Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..
In North America, Spilonota ocellana is only likely to be confused with S. laricana, another European species introduced to eastern Canada. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity of specimens.
Larvae can be separated based on the characters described in MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338., which include host (polyphagous in S. ocellana, but restricted to Larix and other conifers in S. laricana), the development of anal fork (weakly-developed in S. ocellana, well-developed in S. laricana), and the color of the pinacula (darker than body in S. ocellana, concolorous with body in S. laricana).
Spilonota ocellana is present in all apple (Malus spp.) growing regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It was introduced into North America from Europe sometime before 1840 and now occurs across southern Canada and the northern United States, ranging as far south as North Carolina, Ohio, and California.
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..
Spilonota ocellana completes a single generation per year. Adults are present June to August.
Females lay eggs singly on leaves. Newly hatched larvae feed primarily on leaves. Third instar larvae construct a hibernaculum, often in a spur crotch, where they overwinter. Feeding resumes in early spring on buds, leaves, and blossoms, with larvae forming a tubular chamber between leaves or in a rolled leaf. Pupation occurs in a leaf nest near the feeding site.
Spilonota ocellana is a pest in orchards, with apple (Malus) and cherry (Prunus) being preferred hosts.
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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