The Tortricidae are a family of moths, commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths, in the order Lepidoptera. This large family has over 11,000 species described, and is the sole member of the superfamily Tortricoidea, although the genus Heliocosma is sometimes placed within this superfamily. Many of these are economically important pests. Olethreutidae is a junior synonym. The typical resting posture is with the wings folded back, producing a rather rounded profile.
Notable tortricids include the codling moth and the spruce budworm, which are among the most well-studied of all insects because of their economic impact.
Description
Tortricid moths are generally small, with a wingspan of 3 cm or less. Many species are drab and have mottled and marbled brown colors, but some diurnal species are brightly colored and mimic other moths of the families Geometridae and Pyralidae.
Life cycle and behavior
Tortricid eggs are often flattened and scale-like.
Larvae in the subfamilies Chlidanotinae and Olethreutinae usually feed by boring into stems, roots, buds or seeds. Larvae in the subfamily Tortricinae, however, feed externally and construct leaf rolls. Larvae in the subfamily Tortricinae tend to be more polyphagous than those in Chlidanotinae and Olethreutinae. Tortricinae also possess an anal fork for flicking excrement away from their shelters.
Some common tortricids
The tortricids include many economically important pests, including:
Summer fruit tortrix moth (Adoxophyes orana)
Fruit tree tortrix moth (Archips podana)
Rose leaf roller (Archips rosana)
Argyrotaenia ljungiana, a pest on vines, maize, and fruit trees
Peach moth (Cydia molesta)
Codling moth (Cydia pomonella)
Plum fruit moth (Cydia funebrana)
Pea moth (Cydia nigricana)
Chestnut and acorn moth (Cydia splendana)
Light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana)
Hemp borer (Grapholita delineana)
Oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta)
Cherry fruitworm (Grapholita packardi)
European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana)
Barred fruit...
