Grapholitini is the third most diverse tribe within Olethreutinae, behind Eucosmini and Olethreutini. It contains approximately 900 species with a worldwide distribution. This tribe contains the second-most number of pest species in Tortricidae after Archipini. Synapomorphies for the tribe include a hindwing with veins M2 and M3 widely separated at the base and a reduced dorsal complex in the male genitalia. Molecular data suggest Grapholitini to be sister to Eucosmini. Morphological similarities, especially in the genitalia, support this relationship.
Many species can be quickly recognized as members of Grapholitini based on the short, upturned labial palpi; brown, gray, or pale orange forewings with conspicuous iridescent or silver fasciae and a well-defined ocellus; and conspicuous costal strigulae and patch on inner margin. Male genitalia are similar to those of Eucosmini except with further reduction of the uncus and socii (“dorsal complex”). Female genitalia are also very similar to those of Eucosmini, but often have a shorter, broader ductus bursae and smaller, thorn- or tack-like signa in the ductus bursae.
Host preferences and life histories are difficult to generalize for the tribe, but larvae of many species are borers in fruits, roots, and shoots. There is a general trend towards monophagy or oligophagy, with Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Asteraceae supporting the highest number of species. We include some of the most significant economic pests of Grapholitini on this site, as well as a select few common or easily confused non-pest species.
The most recent comprehensive guide to the Nearctic Grapholitini is Heinrich (1926)Heinrich (1926):
Heinrich, C. 1926. Revision of the North American moths of the subfamilies Laspeyresiinae and Olethreutinae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum. 132: 1–216., but more recent regional (Miller 1987aMiller 1987a:
Miller, W. E. 1987a. Guide to the Olethreutine moths of midland North America (Tortricidae). USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 660: 1–104., Gilligan et al. 2008Gilligan et al. 2008:
Gilligan, T. M., Wright, D. J., Gibson, L. D. 2008. Olethreutine moths of the midwestern United States, an identification guide. Ohio Biological Survey, Columbus, Ohio. 334 pp.) and genus-level (Adamski and Brown 2001Adamski 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.) treatments exist. Though not comprehensive in scope, the best resource for Palearctic species is Komai (1999)Komai (1999):
Komai, F. 1999. A taxonomic review of the genus Grapholita and allied genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in the Palaearctic region. Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement 55. 226 pp.. Hu et al. (2023)Hu et al. (2023):
Hu, G.-L., Brown, J. W., Heikkilä, M., Aarvik, L., Mutanen, M. 2023. Molecular phylogeny, divergence time, biogeography and trends in host plant usage in the agriculturally important tortricid tribe Grapholitini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae). Cladistics. 39(5): 359–381. published a molecular phylogeny for Grapholitini, which provides an important framework for understanding relationships within the tribe.
Included species:
Exotic species
Cryptophlebia spp.
Cydia strobilella
Adventive species
Native species
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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