Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFTortricidae Members: Olethreutes Members: 2 NC Records

Olethreutes brunneopurpurata (Heinrich, 1923) - No Common Name

Olethreutes brunneopurpurataOlethreutes brunneopurpurata
Taxonomy
Family:
Tortricidae		P3 Number:
51a0575		 MONA Number:
2807.00
Comments: Olethreutes brunneopurpurata has traditionally been recognized as a single species, but is now thought to represent at least two species, including one undescribed species that primarily occurs in the Coastal Plain. The undescribed form differs in having the median fascia with a light-brown to yellowish-brown patch along the inner margin, and is currently being treated as 'Olethreutes new species near brunneopurpurata’ here and by MPG and BugGuide. Preliminary observations suggest that it specializes on species of Hypericum, while true O. brunneopurpurata uses alders.
Species Status: 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: Heinrich (1923a)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Heinrich (1923a)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This relatively small species is distinctive among our Olethreutes in having sharply-defined, brownish-black marks with metallic-purple coloration in between. The following detailed description is based primarily on that of Heinrich (1923a). The antenna varies from yellowish-brown to purplish-brown, with a dark purplish brown (almost black) spot on the upper side of the basal segment, and a similar shade on the upper side of the next three or four segments. The palp is mostly dull cream-colored, with the second segment having two small fuscous spots on its outer side, and a very faint purplish fuscous shading at the apex. The terminal segment is dark purplish fuscous. The head is purplish brown above with sordid tan to whitish scales on the sides and front, and a purplish shading on each side of the frontal tuft. The thorax is purplish brown.

The medial fascia of the forewing, along with the basal patch, pretornal patch, subapical patch, and other major marks are a rich dark brown that is dusted with varying amounts of blackish scales and narrowly margined with white. The areas between the marks are a light, metallic leaden purple with a finer dark line in the middle of the larger lines. The major dark marks include a basal patch that extends from near the base of the wing obliquely before ending below the costa at around two-fifths the wing length, and a crisply-defined medial fascia that consists of a costal and middle tooth and a triangular dorsal patch with the apex pointed outward. Other dark marks include a triangular, subtornal patch with the tip pointing inward, and an elongated, oblique, postmedial bar that begins below the costa at around four-fifths the wing length and projects towards the dorsal half of the outer margin. A series of four small, dark, triangular spots are present along the apical half of the costa. These alternate with curved, light-purplish lines with darker centers that project towards the apical half of the outer margin. The fringe is mostly leaden-brown to blackish-brown, with a blackish basal band, while the hindwing a uniform amber brown with a pale brown fringe that has a dark basal band.
Wingspan: 14-14.5 mm (N = 2; Heinrich, 1923a).
Forewing Length: 6.5 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2008) have illustrations of the male and female genitalia, and Heinrich (1923a) and BugGuide have illustrations of the female genitalia.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae appear to specialize on alders and make feeding-shelters by tying the young terminal leaves together. Tracy Feldman reared an adult from Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata) in North Carolina, and Heinrich (1923a) reported that larvae that were collected from alder leaves on 18 July in Virginia produced two adults on 1 August and 19 August. Larvae collected from Virginia were pale greenish-yellow with the body segments broadly, transversely banded with pink. The head and thoracic shield were pale yellow, and the full-grown larvae were 12 mm long.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Olethreutes brunneopurpurata is endemic to eastern North America. It distribution is poorly defined because of previous confusion with an undescribed form that occurs mostly in coastal regions of the eastern US (see 'Olethreutes new species near brunneopurpurata' species account). True O. brunneopurpurata appears to be more of an inland species that has been found in Kentucky, New York, Virginia, North Carolina and probably elsewhere. As of 2024, we have only two records for the state (both based on maculation and genitalia), with one from the western Piedmont and a second from the western Coastal Plain.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Olethreutes brunneopurpurataAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New%20Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge 		Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Flight Comments: The flight season is poorly documented. As of 2024, our two records are from early-July and mid-September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is generally found in and around wetland communities.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to specialize on alders (Heinrich, 1923a; Tracy Feldman -- NC rearing record), with Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata) the only documented host as of 2024. - View
Observation Methods: The adults appear to be only weakly attracted to lights. Additional information is needed on the larval life history and ecology in North Carolina and elsewhere.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Shoreline Shrublands
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 and elsewhere within its range.

 Photo Gallery for Olethreutes brunneopurpurata - None

Photos: 3
Olethreutes brunneopurpurataRecorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-09-14
Scotland Co.
Comment: Leaftier was on Alnus serrulata; adult reared and identified by genitalia.		Olethreutes brunneopurpurataRecorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-09-14
Scotland Co.
Comment: Leaftier was on Alnus serrulata; adult reared and identified by genitalia.
Olethreutes brunneopurpurataRecorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-09-14
Scotland Co.
Comment: Leaftier was on Alnus serrulata; adult reared and identified by genitalia.