Moths of North Carolina
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Olethreutes Members:
4 NC Records

Olethreutes connectum (McDunnough, 1935) - Bunchberry Leaffolder Moth

Olethreutes connectumOlethreutes connectumOlethreutes connectum
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Tortricoidea		 Family:
Tortricidae		Subfamily:
Olethreutinae		Tribe:
Olethreutini		P3 Number:
51a0556		 MONA Number:
2787.00
Comments: Olethreutes is a large genus with over 130 recognized species worldwide. North America has around 80 recognized species, with at least 37 species occurring in North Carolina. Some species are very difficult to identify due to interspecific similarities in color and forewing pattern and only subtle differences in genitalia (Gilligan et al., 2008). In many instances, knowledge of the host plant is essential for a confident determination. All of the Nearctic species are leaf-tiers or leaf-rollers on deciduous trees and shrubs.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: McDunnough (1935)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Olethreutes connectum is distinctive in having the posterior half of the dark-brown to blackish basal patch of the forewing aligning with the concolorous anterior portion of the medial fascia along the costa. The two typically connect to form a continuous dark shade from the base of the dorsal margin to the mid-costa, but sometimes are interrupted by lighter scaling in the interfascial area (Gilligan et al., 2008). A second distinctive feature is that the costa is whitish to light buff from the wing base to the medial fascia, and is usually marked with a series of five or six short, dark strigulae. The other conspicuous marks include two triangular, brownish to obscurely olivaceous bulges along the inner margin on the apical half of the wing. These produce an hourglass shape when a resting individual is viewed directly overhead. There is also an elongated postmedial bar, and three or four strigulae on the apical third of the costa that project towards the subapical region of the outer margin. The areas that surround the fascia and patches are lighter colored and often finely striated, while the cilia are dusted with blackish scales and have a black basal line. The hindwing varies from brown to grayish-brown. The head of unworn specimens is dark brown to blackish, and the thorax mostly dark brown to blackish with two or three faint, pale, horizontal lines. The palps are tawny white except for a dark-brown tip.
Forewing Length: 7.0-9.0 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: BugGuide and Gilligan et al. (2008) have illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae roll the leaves of several species of dogwoods (Swida spp.) that favor wetlands and skeletonize the leaf surfaces. Godfrey et al. (1987) reared several adults but did not provide any details about the larval life cycle or ecology.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Olethreutes connectum tends to be a cool-climate species, with the range extending in a line from Arkansas to North Carolina, then northward to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and the New England states. It also occurs in adjoining areas of southern Ontario and Quebec.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Olethreutes connectum
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: The adults have been observed from May through September in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak from June through August. As of 2024, our very limited records are from mid-May through mid-July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally found in areas that support wetland dogwoods such as shrub swamps and other shoreline shrub thickets.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to specialize on dogwoods (MacKay, 1959; McDunnough, 1933; Prentice, 1965; Godfrey et al., 1987; Brown et al., 2008; Gilligan et al., 2008). The reported host include Silky Dogwood (Swida amomum [= Cornus amomum]), Stiff Dogwood (Swida foemina [= Cornus foemina]), and Red-osier Dogwood (S. sericea [= Cornus sericea]). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights. More information is needed on the larval life history and ecology.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Wet Shrublands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S1S3
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to reach its lower range limits in North Carolina where it appears to be uncommon due in part to its dependency on dogwoods that frequent wetlands.

 Photo Gallery for Olethreutes connectum - Bunchberry Leaffolder Moth

Photos: 4

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-25
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-05-13
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-07-12
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2013-06-15
Halifax Co.
Comment: