Moths of North Carolina
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Argyrotaenia Members:
10 NC Records

Argyrotaenia floridana Obraztsov, 1961 - Florida Leafroller Moth

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: TortricinaeTribe: ArchipiniP3 Number: 51a0258 MONA Number: 3599.00
Comments: The genus Argyrotaenia contains approximately 100 described species, with most occurring in Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Thirty-six species are currently recognized in North America.
Species Status: Argyrotaenia floridana is a member of a cluster of closely related species that comprise the A. velutinana group. These species have very similar genitalia and identifications are mostly based on wing pattern, size, and geographic distributions. All exhibit substantial phenotypic variation and not all identifications can be made with complete certainty.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Obraztsov (1961)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based in part on the original description by Obraztsov (1961). The antenna is dark brown with broad, whitish annulations. The labial palp is chestnut-brown on the outside, while the head is chestnut-brown with a mix of ocherous scales behind the eyes. The thorax and tegulae are chestnut-brown and mottled with ocherous, and the posterior thoracic crest is orange-brown.

The ground of the forewing is grayish white and shining with varying levels of darker dusting. The forewing has several darker marks that overlay the ground. The most conspicuous is a broad chestnut-brown, oblique, median fascia that begins near the middle of costa and extends to the dorsal margin just before the tornus. The fascia has a tooth about a third of the way from the costa that projects from the anterior margin inward (in the female, this may completely cut the fascia into two parts). Anterior to the median fascia is a basal area that contains varying levels of irregular dark brown markings that are intermixed with lighter areas. This region occupies about one-fourth of the basal portion of the wing, with the posterior margin often defined by a narrow, irregular dark line or narrow fascia that is often broken or incomplete, and that abuts the lighter interfacial ground color.

Beyond the median fascia is a large, roughly triangular-shaped dark brown costal spot that is about midway between the median fascia and the wing apex. Just dorsal to this is another large, dark brown spot that extends nearly to the tornus and is occasionally fused or connected by a narrow neck with the costal spot. A somewhat broad terminal band is present at the wing tip that is well developed on the apical half, but fades and disappears before reaching the tornus. A small costal spot is usually present between the triangular costal patch and the terminal band. The cilia are pale yellowish brown with a tendency to become whitish towards the tornus. The hindwing is pale brownish ocherous and often somewhat lighter basally. The cilia on the hindwing are yellowish white with a gray basal line.

This species is most easily confused with A. velutinana. The latter has a dorsal, basal patch on the forewing with a prominent tooth that projects posteriorly (best seen when a resting individual is view from above). According to Obraztsov (1961), the forewing markings are also more sharply outlined in A. floridana and the forewing ground has a shining gloss. In addition, the hindwing is paler. According to Obraztsov (1961), A. floridana differs from A. tabulana by having the forewing markings chestnut-brown and the hindwing much paler.
Forewing Length: Around 5.5 mm for males and 7.5-9.0 mm for females (Obraztsov, 1961).
Adult Structural Features: Obraztsov (1961) has descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Immatures and Development: The larval ecology and life history are undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The range is centered on the southeastern US. Moth Photographers Group shows the ranging extends southward from New Jersey to Florida and westward to western Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, and eastern Texas. However, many of these records have not been authenticated and much work is needed to delineate the true range of this species. As of 2022, we have only two records for North Carolina.
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: Populations in Florida and other southern localities are active year-round and presumably have multiple broods. Those farther north fly mostly from March through September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The habitat requirements for this species are poorly documented.
Larval Host Plants: The larval hosts are undocumented (Brown et al., 2008). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: We currently have insufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species to assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Argyrotaenia floridana - Florida Leafroller Moth

Photos: 8

Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2023-04-11
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2021-04-07
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2021-04-04
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2019-06-11
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2016-09-02
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2016-04-04
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2016-03-10
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2015-09-27
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: