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Tortricid (leaf roller) Moth -
Epiblema sp.
Order Lepidoptera / Suborder Microlepidoptera / Superfamily Tortricoidea
Family Tortricidae -- commonly called tortrix moths, leaf rollers, leaf tyers,
bell moths
Live adult moth photographed at
Winfield, DuPage County IL June 20, 2005. |
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Many Tortricid larvae spin their cocoons incorporating a plant's
rolled, or folded leaf.
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Tortricidae is a large family of moths, with over 6,300
species described. Many of these are economically important pests.
The typical resting posture is with the wings folded back producing
a rather rounded profile. Tortricidae is considered to be the single
most important family of (larval) insects that feed on apple,
feeding on fruit, buds, leaves and shoots. In New York state, no
less than 17 species of Tortricidae have gained pest status in
regards to apple production.
The Tortricidae are one of the largest families of the so-called
micro-lepidoptera. Though worldwide in distribution, the family is
more strongly represented in temperate and tropical upland regions
then in the lowland tropics and probably reaches its greatest
diversity in the moss forests of tropical latitudes. The family is
of great economical importance: the larvae of many representatives
cause major economic damage in agriculture, horticulture and
forestry on a wide variety of crops including pomes and stone fruits,
citrus fruits, grapes, ornamental crops, tea, coffee, cereals and
cotton. In forestry, many species of both coniferous and deciduous
trees are attacked by the pest species. They are sometimes commonly
called "bell moths" by the British. Their resting posture is said to
resemble a church bell.
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This moth's camouflage consists of mimicking a bird dropping.
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