Moths of North Carolina
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14 NC Records

Olethreutes appendiceum (Zeller, 1875) - Serviceberry Leafroller Moth

Olethreutes appendiceumOlethreutes appendiceum
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Tortricoidea		 Family:
Tortricidae		Subfamily:
Olethreutinae		Tribe:
Olethreutini		P3 Number:
51a0589		 MONA Number:
2821.00
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, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Olethreutes appendiceum is variable in maculation and coloration, with a mixture of blackish, brownish, or olivaceous patterning. It can usually be distinguished by a combination of characters on the forewing that include, 1) a dull-white, submedial interfacial band at around one-fourth the wing length, 2) a medial fascia that is blackish near the costa and more olivaceous near the inner margin, 3) a patch of whitish scales at the tornus that projects inward to the center of the wing, and 4) a black apical spot at the apex. The forewing has a dark basal patch that extends from the wing base to the interfacial band at around one-fourth and has a broadly wavy margin. It is usually mottled with a mixture of dark brown and lighter brown scales. The dorsal half of the medial fascia, along with the pretornal patch and postmedial bar are often olive-colored with varying amounts of darker scaling. The areas around them are dull white with darker striations, except for the tornal patch that is lighter colored. The apical third of the costa three pairs of whitish strigulae that are separated with blackish spots, with the last much larger and forming a black apical spot. The fringe is whitish with a black basal band, except for a few blackish patches that are concentrated where the postmedial bar reaches the outer margin. The hindwing is brown with a white fringe that has a dark brown basal line.
Forewing Length: 6.0-8.0 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2008) has illustrations of the male and female genitalia. In this species the digitus is greatly reduced and not spined.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are solitary leaf rollers that feed on a wide variety of trees and shrubs. Prentice (1966) summarizes several rearing records for Canada, with larvae from early-May to late-June, pupae throughout June and adults in mid-June. The larvae deep blackish-brown with black head and prothoracic shield (Ferguson (1975).
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Olethreutes appendiceum is found in both eastern and western North America, including Washington state and much of southern Canada from British Columbia eastward to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. In the US the range extends from Maine southward to North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and westward to western Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin and northeastern Nebraska. As of 2024, we have records both from the Blue Ridge and the Coastal Plain.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Olethreutes appendiceum
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 adult have been documented from April through August in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak typically in June and July. As of 2024, our records for the Blue Ridge range from late-May through early-July. Coastal Plain populations have a longer flight period and could potentially represent an undescribed species.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations as associated with a variety of habitats, including hardwood forests, wetlands, forest margins and semi-wooded residential neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: The common name 'Serviceberry Leafroller Moth' is a misnomer since this species feeds on a wide variety of mostly deciduous hardwoods (Ferguson, 1975; Prentice, 1965; Godfrey et al., 1987; Gilligan et al., 2008; Brown et al., 2008; Robinson et al., 2010). The reported hosts include Rocky Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum), Red Maple (A. rubrum), Sugar Maple (A. saccharum), Mountain Maple (A. spicatum), Red Alder (Alnus rubra), Speckled Alder (A. incana subsp. rugosa), serviceberries (Amelanchier), Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), Sweet-fern (Comptonia peregrina), American Hazelnut (Corylus americana), American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), huckleberry (Gaylussacia), American Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), American Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana), an oak (Quercus sp.), Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra), Red Currant (Ribes rubrum), brambles (Rubus), willows (Salix), Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) and a viburnum (Viburnum). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S2S4]
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 be uncommon within the state, but more information is needed on its distribution and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Olethreutes appendiceum - Serviceberry Leafroller Moth

Photos: 6

Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-25
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-25
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-06-11
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Kyle Kittelberger on 2014-06-07
Avery Co.
Comment: