Moths of North Carolina
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Olethreutes Members:
1 NC Records

Olethreutes clavana (Walker, 1863) - No Common Name

Olethreutes clavanaOlethreutes clavana
Taxonomy
Family:
Tortricidae		Subfamily:
Olethreutinae		P3 Number:
51a0566		 MONA Number:
2799.00
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: Miller (1979).                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Olethreutes clavana has markings that are typical of many members of the genus, with the marks margined with a line of paler scales. The medial fascia of the forewing has three posterior projections that include a patch along the inner margin and two teeth that project rearward. All three are usually connected at their bases to produce a fascia that spans the entire width of the forewing. The costal tooth is curved and short, with a somewhat blunt tip, while the middle tooth is irregular and broadly rounded to acute at the tip. The patch along the inner margin progressively narrows and is often fused to the subtornal patch along the inner margin that progressively widens posteriorly. An elongated postmedial bar is also present as seen in most Olethreutes species.

The marks on the forewing typically vary from dull olive-brown to blackish-brown, while the areas that surround the larger patches and the medial fascia have lustrous gray or leaden-gray scaling. The dark forms have a suffusion of black scales on the thorax, near the middle of the costa, and as a broad, diffuse band along the inner margin, but the dusting is usually not sufficiently heavy to conceal the underlying median fascia and larger blotches on the wing. The basal half of the costa has a series of pale strigulae that are often partially fused to form a zone of pale wash, while the apical half of the costa has a series of alternating pale strigulae and darker lines in between that project towards the outer margin. The fringe has a blackish basal line, while the hindwing is brown with a lighter fringe that has a thin, dark basal line. The palps vary from whitish to tawny on the lower segments, while the terminal segment is black with white on the extreme tip.

This species resembles O. nigranum in having dark phenotypes with black shading along the dorsal margin of the forewing, but the shading is not as pronounced as in the dark forms of O. nigranum. In addition, the dark form of O. clavana has blackish-brown to olive-brown fasciae and considerable lustrous gray scaling in the interfascial areas. In contrast, the dark forms of O. nigranum are brighter, with more pink than gray interfascial scaling, and with reddish-brown to pale-olive fascial markings (Gilligan et al., 2008). Individuals of the two species without black dorsal shading are difficult to separate, but those of O. clavana tend to be golden brown versus blackish brown in O. nigrana. The genitalia of the two species are very similar (see below). Olethreutes mysteriana is also similar but is smaller on average (7.0-8.5 mm versus 7.0-10.0 mm; Gilligan et al., 2008) and has yet to be documented in North Carolina. It can easily be distinguished from small specimens of O. clavana by examining the male genitalia.
Forewing Length: 7.0-10.0 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2008) have illustrations of the male and female genitalia. They authors note that the male genitalia of O. clavana and O. nigranum are virtually indistinguishable, though the spines on the medial margin of the neck cavity are purported to be a little longer in nigrana (Miller, 1979). In both cases the digitus arises near the cucullus. Both species lack a signum, but subtle differences in sculpturing can be observed in the sterigmata.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is poorly documented, but there is one rearing record for a larva feeding on a hazelnut (Corylus sp.; Miller, 1979).
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Olethreutes clavana is found in eastern North America, where the range extends from Illinois and Indiana northeastward through southern Ontario and Quebec to New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. The range extends southward to Pennsylvania, northern Virginia, West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky. As of 2024, we have a single record from Madison County in the Blue Ridge the may represent a southern disjunct from the main range that occurs farther north.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Olethreutes clavana
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 June through August in different areas of the range. As of 2024, our one record is from 20 June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally associated with mesic hardwoods; our only record as of 2024 was from a semi-wooded residential neighborhood.
Larval Host Plants: Miller (1979) reported one specimen that was reared from a Corylus (hazelnut).
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights. More information is needed on the host species and larval life history in North Carolina and elsewhere.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S1S2]
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be rare in the state, with a single record from Madison County as of 2024 that may be part of a population that is disjunct from the main range farther north.

 Photo Gallery for Olethreutes clavana - No common name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-06-20
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-06-20
Madison Co.
Comment: