Moths of North Carolina
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Archips Members:
7 NC Records

Archips infumatana (Zeller, 1875) - Smoked Leafroller Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: TortricinaeTribe: ArchipiniP3 Number: 620336.00 MONA Number: 3659.00
Comments: Archips is a large genus with species occurring worldwide. Most are found in Holarctic and temperate regions and they are well-represented in the Old World. North America has 26 species, including a few that are introduced.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923)Technical Description, Immature Stages: MacKay (1962)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species has an overall dark smoked appearance that is the basis for its common name. The following is based in part on the description by Forbes (1923). The head, palps, and antennae vary from dull yellowish brown to purplish brown. The thorax and ground color of the forewing are dull yellowish-brown and usually heavily infused with purplish black, sometimes to the point where much of the yellowish-brown coloration is obscured. In appropriate lighting, the purplish color appears as a strong iridescence on a blackish under color. The ground is overlain by dark brown to blackish marks. These include a large basal patch that covers nearly the basal third of the wing, and a wide, median, posteriorly oblique band that begins near the middle of the costa and extends to the inner margin. The band is narrowest on the costa and often increases by two-fold or more on the dorsal third below the inner margin. The final dark mark is a much narrower, weakly curved, subterminal streak that extends from the subapical region of the costa to the anal angle. The fringe is dull yellowish brown and the hindwing is dull brown with a paler fringe. The costa is weakly recurved on the apical third, and the termen is slightly concave before the apex -- with the curvatures better developed on females. The males have a small costal fold near the wing base.
Wingspan: 18-25 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Immatures and Development: The larvae are known to build nests by binding leaves together and often live communally within the nests (Woodruff, 1916; MacKay, 1962; Kruse and Sperling, 2002). However, details of the life history are unreported.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Archips infumatana is largely restricted to the eastern US, with a few records from southern Ontario. In the US the range extends from Maine southward to northern Florida, and westward to eastern Texas, Mississippi, western Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin. As of 2023, our records are restricted to the Piedmont and a lower elevation site in the Blue Ridge.
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 from April through August in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak typically in June and July. This species is univoltine in North Carolina. As of 2023, our limited records extend from mid-May to mid-July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are most common in oak-hickory forests or mixed mesophytic forests where hickories are present.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to specialize on hickories (Forbes, 1923; Craighead et al., 1950; Schaffner, 1959; Baker, 1972; Heppner, 2007). The only specific host that has been reported is Pecan (Carya illinoinensis), but other hickories are used. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights. We need more information on host use in North Carolina.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Oak-Hickory Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2-S4]
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be uncommon in the state, but more information is needed on its preferred habitats, host use, and distribution and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Archips infumatana - Smoked Leafroller Moth

Photos: 5

Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2023-05-23
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-06-13
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-01
Montgomery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-01
Montgomery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-01
Montgomery Co.
Comment: