The tribe Cochylini contains approximately 1,670 described species. It includes the former tribe Euliini as subtribe Euliina, which remains paraphyletic (Regier et al. 2012Regier et al. 2012:
Regier J. C., Brown, J. W., Mitter, C., Baixeras, J., Cho, S., Cummings, P., Zwick, A. 2012. A molecular phylogeny for the leaf-roller moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and its implications for classification and life history evolution. PLoS ONE. 7(4): e35574., Fagua et al. 2017Fagua et al. 2017:
Fagua G., Condamine, F. L., Horak, M., Zwick, A., Sperling, F. A. 2017. Diversification shifts in leafroller moths linked to continental colonization and the rise of angiosperms. Cladistics. 33: 449–466. , Brown et al. 2020aBrown et al. 2020a:
Brown, J. W., Aarvik, L., Heikkilä, M., Brown, R., Mutanen, M. 2020a. A molecular phylogeny of Cochylina, with confirmation of its relationship to Euliina (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Systematic Entomology. 45: 160–174.). Cochylini occur in all faunal regions, but the greatest diversity is found in the Holarctic and Neotropical regions. The group is defined by wing venation, wing pattern, and to a lesser extent, genitalic characters. The wing pattern of many species is similar, with yellow or white ground color and one or two distinct, reddish brown fasciae. Often the median fascia only extends partway from dorsum to costa, creating the appearance of a dorsal patch. Male genitalia are characterized by triangular or rectangular valvae and a very large aedeagus. Female genitalia are characterized by a short, broad, ductus bursae, and a corpus bursae with numerous wrinkles, sclerotizations, or spines. Larvae are diverse, and include leaf rollers, internal feeders in roots, stalks, seeds, and a few species that appear to specialize on leaf litter (e.g., Anopina).
Larval morphology for the group is unusual in that larvae share the following character states with those of Grapholitini (Olethreutinae): D1 and SD1 are on the same pinaculum on A9, and the L-pinaculum on T1 is enlarged and extends beneath the spiracle. In some species (e.g., Eupoecilia ambiguella), the L-group does not extend past (posterior to) the spiracle as it does in many of the olethreutines with a similar state (Cryptophlebia, some Cydia, Ecdytolopha, Gymnandrosoma, and Thaumatotibia). Other larval characters include an anal comb with 2–10 teeth and the L-pinaculum on A9 bisetose.
Cochylini larvae are commonly intercepted at United States ports of entry on products arriving from Central America. One commonly recorded host is monkeypod (Pithecellobium dulce) from Mexico. The group contains a number of economically important species. In much of the economic literature it is still treated as a distinct family or subfamily (Cochylidae or Cochylinae), although it is currently considered a tribe within the Tortricinae. Brown (2006)Brown (2006):
Brown, J. W. 2006. Scientific names of pest species in Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) frequently cited erroneously in the entomological literature. American Entomologist. 52: 182–189. outlines the history of placement of this group. Eleven taxa are treated here.
Exotic species
Native species
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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