Moths of North Carolina
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Acleris Members:
63 NC Records

Acleris flavivittana (Clemens, 1864) - Multiform Leafroller Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: TortricinaeTribe: TortriciniP3 Number: 620043.00 MONA Number: 3542.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Immature Stages: Chapman and Lienk, 1971.                                                                                 
Adult Markings: As the name implies, the Multiform Leafroller (Acleris flavivittana) exhibits a wide range of phenotypes or morphs and is best identified by genitalia. Once a genitalia-based library of morphs are built for local or regional populations, individuals often can be assigned correctly to this species with high confidence using external patterning and coloration. Many of the morphs have forewings that are predominantly dark brown or dark reddish-brown, with various patterns of white overlay that include fine, longitudinal streaking, longitudinal bands, or white frosting. Other morphs have tan or grayish ground colors with various combinations of blackish to chestnut-colored longitudinal bands or streaks.
Wingspan: 17-21 mm (Chapman and Lienk, 1971).
Forewing Length: 7.5-10.0 mm (Chapman and Lienk, 1971; Gilligan and Epstein, 2014); males and females approximately the same size.
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan and Epstein (2014) provide illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is poorly documented and largely based on Chapman and Lienk's (1971) observations in New York in apple orchards, where the larvae fed on apple leaves. According to the authors, the older larvae tie two leaves together with silk to produce a flat shelter, then skeletonize the top leaf from within the shelter. Pupation occurs within the leaf ties and the adults emerge 2-3 weeks later. Chapman and Lienk (1971) found adults in August and September, and surmised that overwintering occurs as mid-instar larvae; however, this has not been verified. Lam et al. (2011) reported that this species overwinters as adults, which is consistent with our observations of this species often appearing at lights in January and February in North Carolina.

The last instar larvae at Chapman and Lienk's (1971) study sites ranged from 12-17 mm in length. The head is distinctive in being dark brown below and light brown above, with the amount of contrast varying substantially among individuals. The prothoracic shield is shaded posterolaterally with dark brown to black, and the prothoracic legs are black and contrast with the other two, which are pale colored (Chapman and Lienk, 1971; Gilligan and Epstein, 2014). The body is greenish. Chapman and Lienk (1971) provide a color illustration of a mature larva.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Acleris flavivittana is widespread and common in eastern North America, but a few scattered records are also known from Oregon, Washington, Alberta and Saskatchewan. In the East this species is found in southern Canada (Manitoba; Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia) and in the U.S. from Maine and other New England states southwestward mostly through the Appalachian region to northern Georgia and central Alabama. From there, it extends westward to western Tennessee, western Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin. This species appears to be uncommon or absent in many areas of the southeastern Coastal Plain. As of 2024, all of our records are from the Blue Ridge and Piedmont.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
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 during every month of the year in different areas of the range, with local populations in many areas likely having two generations per year. As of 2024, our records range from early-January through early-November. Populations in the Blue Ridge, where we have the most comprehensive data set, appear to have two generations each year -- with the adults from the second brood overwintering and becoming active with the spring warm-up.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Most of our records are from mesic forests or forest edges with mixed deciduous hardwoods.
Larval Host Plants: Information on host plants is scarce. The known hosts include commercial apples (Malus pumila) and Fire Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica; Chapman and Lienk, 1971; Ferguson, 1975; Brown et al., 2008; Gilligan and Epstein, 2014). Beadle and Leckie (2012) list alder (Alnus), birch (Betula) and Viburnum as hosts, but we are unaware of the basis for this. As of 2024, we do not have any feeding records for North Carolina. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S3S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: The species can be locally common at lower-elevation sites in the Blue Ridge.

 Photo Gallery for Acleris flavivittana - Multiform Leafroller Moth

43 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-03-13
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-11-08
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-11-08
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-10-20
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-28
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-05
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-03-26
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-03-23
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-03-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-02-28
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-02-23
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-01-02
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-11-05
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-04-11
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-03-06
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-25
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-20
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-20
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-18
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-13
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-03-26
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-11-08
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-05-02
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-04-06
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-03-29
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-03-29
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-03-29
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-19
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-07-29
Madison Co.
Comment: Determined by J.B. Sullivan based on dissection.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-07-25
Madison Co.
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