Moths of North Carolina
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1 NC Records

Olethreutes viburnanum (McDunnough, 1935) - No Common Name

Olethreutes viburnanumOlethreutes viburnanumOlethreutes viburnanum
Taxonomy
Family:
Tortricidae		Subfamily:
Olethreutinae		Tribe:
Olethreutini		P3 Number:
51a0569		 MONA Number:
2801.00
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: This species is somewhat distinctive among our Olethreutes species in having a prominent blackish-brown median fascia on the forewing, with the bases of the three posteriorly projecting elements broadly joined at their bases. The fascia consists of a triangular-shaped mark along the inner margin that decreases in width posteriorly, and a middle and costal tooth with broad bases that irregularly narrow to a more or less blunt tip. The medial fascia is preceded by a prominent and lighter interfacial band that varies from pinkish-red to gray. The band has fine, dark striations within, along a thin line of scattered whitish scales along the margins. The area between the interfacial band and the wing base is variable in coloration and patterning, but often has an outwardly oblique blackish-brown band that extends from the inner margin at the wing base to the interfacial band.

The most conspicuous dark marks in the area posterior to the medial band include an olivaceous to dark-brown, triangular-shaped, pretornal patch with the tip projecting inward, and an elongated postmedial bar that begins inward from the costa at around four-fifths the wing length and projects towards the tornus. The area around these is filled with striated bands that are similar to those of the interfacial band that precedes the medial fascia. These marks, along with the medial fascia, have a thin line of reddish to brownish-orange scales along their margins. The apical half of the costa has several pairs of whitish stigulae that are separated by dark-brown to reddish-brown marks, with lines from these projecting towards the apical third of the outer margin. The fringe varies from grayish to light brown and has a darker band at the base. The palps are dull white to grayish-white except for the terminal segment that is blackish, with the extreme tip white. The head tuft and thoracic tuft vary from reddish-brown to blackish.
Forewing Length: 7.5-9.5 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: 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 feed on viburnums, but details of the larval life history are lacking.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Olethreutes viburnanum is endemic to eastern North America where it prefers cool climates. It occurs in portions of southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia), and in the US from southern Maine southward to Maryland and West Virginia, and westward to Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. As of 2024, we have a single record from Watauga County in the northern Blue Ridge that may be part of a population that is disjunct from the main range farther north.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Olethreutes viburnanum
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 found from May through August in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak in July. As of 2024, our only record is from 19 June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally associated with hardwood forests and forest edge habitats.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are thought to specialize on viburnums (Putman, 1935; Gilligan et al., 2008): The reported hosts include Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) and Smooth Blackhaw (V. prunifolium), but other viburnums are likely used. Godfrey et al. (1987) reported Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana) as a host, but Gilligan et al. (2008) believed that this may have been based on a misidentified moth. Additional verification is needed.
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights. More information is needed on host use and the larval life history for 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 North Carolina, with only one record as of 2024. The North Carolina population may be disjunct from the main range to the north.

 Photo Gallery for Olethreutes viburnanum - No common name

Photos: 3

Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment: