Moths of North Carolina
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Paralobesia Members:
13 NC Records

Paralobesia viteana (Clemens, 1860) - Grape Berry Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: OlethreutiniP3 Number: 620494.00 MONA Number: 2712.00
Comments: Paralobesia is a genus of small tortricid moths, with the majority of species found in the Nearctic Region. Royals et al. (2019) recently completed a much-needed revision of the genus, which now includes 43 species. Only 19 species were described prior to their work, and there appear to be a few remaining undescribed species in North America where there is insufficient material or data to formally describe them (Royals et al., 2019). We currently have 12 described species in North Carolina, as well as one undescribed species (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.). Many are very similar in external coloration and patterning, and are best identified using either genitalia or rearing from host-specific plants.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Royals et al. (2019)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based in part on that of Royals et al. (2019). The adults have a two-toned appearance, with the basal half of the forewing gray and the apical half a mixture of pale-brown to dark-brown blotches. The vertex is rough-scaled and reddish-brown and the labial palps pale brown to pale tan. The antenna is brown, and the thorax is reddish-brown with a brown crest. The ground color of the forewing is bluish-gray and is most prominent on the basal half of the wing where it is separated by a thin, outwardly angulated brown band at around one-fourth the wing length. The most prominent mark is a large median fascia that extends from the costa to the inner margin, with the middle portion greatly expanded distally, and the dorsal portion narrowing towards the inner margin. The median fascia is mostly dark brown, but becomes a lighter mottled brown towards the inner margin. The median fascia is followed by a prominent, brown, subterminal band (blotch) that is centered near the middle of the wing and has darker brown scales in the center. Several smaller blotches are present between it and the apical third of the costa, with the most prominent one at the apex. A brown pre-tornal patch is present along the inner margin, and all of the marks described above are usually margined with pale tan to whitish scales. The costal strigulae consist of 5-9 pairs of gray dashes along the costa, and the hindwing is brown, but paler at the base.

Paralobesia viteana is very similar in overall patterning to the P. liriodendrana complex, but has dark-brown marks on the apical half of the wing, lighter-colored palps, and a bluish-gray fringe (Forbes, 1923) versus the light reddish-brown fringe of P. liriodendrana and P. magnoliana. In addition, the costal remnant of the post-median fascia (the small, dark costal mark between the median fascia and the subterminal band) is reduced in size relative to that of P. liriodendrana complex, which is larger and more rectangular-shaped.
Forewing Length: 3.9-5.6 mm; mean = 5.0 mm (Royals et al., 2019).
Adult Structural Features: Royals et al. (2019) provide descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia, which are distinctive for this species.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: Paralobesia viteana specializes on both native and commercially-grown grapes and is a major pest in vineyards. Local populations typically have two or three generations per year depending on the local climate and annual weather conditions, with a partial fourth generation in some areas (Tobin et al., 2003). The adults emerge from over-wintering pupae when the grapes are beginning to flower and fruit (typically late-April to June), and mated females oviposit on the developing buds, flower clusters, or grape berries. Larvae from the first generation feed on buds, flower clusters, or very small developing fruits, while those in later generations burrow into the grapes and feed on fruit tissue. The fourth instars exit the fruits and pupate inside either rolled grape leaves or in chambers in the bark of the grapevine (Slingerland, 1904; Johnson and Hammar, 1912; Tobin et al., 2003). A larvae will typically cut out a small crescent-shaped piece of grape leaf and fold it over to form a cavity which it lines with silk. The cocoon is connected with the leaf at each end by a small, uncut piece of leaf tissue. The leaf folds with cocoons may remain attached to the leaves or may break off and fall to the ground. The life cycle from egg to emerging adult takes about four to five weeks. The late-instar larvae are around 10-15 mm long with a yellowish-green to pale-brown abdomen. The head and prothoracic shield are yellowish brown and the shield is variably shaded with dark brown to black on the posterior and lateral margins. An anal comb is present with 5-8 teeth (Gilligan and Epstein, 2014).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Paralobesia viteana is native to eastern North America where it occurs in southeastern Canada (Ontario; Quebec), and in the U.S. from New York and Massachusetts southward to northern Florida, and westward to central Texas, central Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, eastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin and Michigan (Royals et al., 2019; MPG). Specimens have also been found in Arizona, Colorado and Nebraska that are likely introductions. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Adults have been observed during most months of the year. Royals et al. (2019) examined specimens that were collected from early-February through mid-October. As of 2024, we have records from late-April through mid-September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is commonly found in grape orchards and in forests and edge habitats where native grapes are present.
Larval Host Plants: Native grapes appear to be the primary hosts in the wild, but commercially-grown grape cultivars are also exploited (Heppner, 2007; Hoffman et al., 1992; Gilligan and Epstein, 2014, Laiton-Jimenez et al., 2024). A few secondary hosts have been reported (Gilligan and Epstein, 2014) that appear to be used on rare occasion. These include a false indigo (Amorpha sp.), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), and a blackberry (Rubus sp.). Species of cultivated and native grapes that are used include Muscadine (Muscadinia rotundifolia), Concord Grape (Vitis labrusca cultivars), Riverbank Grape (V. riparia) and Common Grape (V. vinifera hybrids). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and pheromone traps, and the larvae can be found inside the fruits of grapes.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S4S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appear to be secure in north Carolina where it can be a pest on commercially-grown grapes.

 Photo Gallery for Paralobesia viteana - Grape Berry Moth

Photos: 8

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-08-02
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-25
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-04-25
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-04-06
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2021-09-14
Ashe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2020-05-11
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2020-05-11
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Scharf on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment: