Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Geshna Members:	20 NC Records

Geshna cannalis (Quaintance, 1899) - Lesser Canna Leafroller Moth

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Pyraustinae

Tribe:
Spilomelini

P3 Number:
80a0999

MONA Number:
5126.00

Species Status: This species is native to the southeastern states where it likely used a native species (Canna flaccida) as its host prior to the widespread planting of ornamental cannas. Canna flaccida is not found in North Carolina and our records likely reflect range extensions following the introduction of ornamental plants.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Immature Stages: McAuslane (2000)

Adult Markings: This is a small moth with uniform light brown to medium brown coloration on the head, thorax, abdomen, and ground of the forewings and hindwings. Both wings have matching dark brown AM and PM lines that are slightly jagged, while the forewing has a small white discal spot that is margined with a few dark brown or blackish scales on both the basal and apical sides. The adults are frequently seen resting on Canna leaves.

Wingspan: 20-25 mm

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on both native and horticultural varieties of Canna species. McAuslane (2000) has a detailed life history account and the following is based on her summary. Females lay groups of 6-15 whitish-yellow eggs on the the upper surfaces of leaves. The first instars are leaf miners that produce frass-filled mines, but they soon desert the mines and feed gregariously on the upper leaf surface. When larvae are about one week old, they begin to roll leaves by tying an unfurled leaf together with silk. On occasion, they may also roll the edge of an expanded leaf to make a feeding shelter. The rolled leaves typically house from 1-6 larvae, although 1-2 is the norm. The larvae consume the upper epidermis and parenchyma, but leave the lower epidermis of the leaf intact. The rolled leaves typically contain large amounts of dark-brown frass.

The last instar larva is about 23 mm long and is yellowish white with a transparent body that shows the green food in its gastrointestinal tract. The head is yellow, the clypeus is yellowish brown, and the tips of the mandibles are brownish-black. The last instar spins a silken shelter within the leaf roll and pupates within the shelter. The chocolate brown pupa is around 11.5 mm long. Populations in southern populations are multivoltine with each generation lasting around 4-5 weeks. Pupae from the final seasonal brood overwinter in dead canna leaves, with the adults emerging with the spring warm-up.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Geshna cannalis is largely restricted to the southeastern US. The range extends from Virginia southward to southern Florida, and westward to central Texas and Missouri. Specimens have been found recently as far north as New York that are undoubtedly introductions. As of 2023, all but one of our records are from the Piedmont, with one historical record from the Coastal Plain.

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
Immature 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 are multivoltine with records extending from February through December. Farther north, the adults mostly fly from May through September. As of 2023, our records are from late-March to late-October. Populations in North Carolina appear to be bivoltine.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are dependent for cannas for reproduction and are tightly associated with sites that have patches of this ornamental plant.

Larval Host Plants: This species is only known to use species of Canna (Heppner, 2007). In North Carolina, Jim Petranka has reared a larva from an unidentified Canna species. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are often seen in the immediate vicinity of cannas and the larvae can be found in rolled canna leaves.

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:

Photo Gallery for Geshna cannalis - Lesser Canna Leafroller Moth

Photos: 27

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-10-29 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-10-29 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-08-20 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2024-09-15 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2024-09-15 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-29 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-13 Madison Co. Comment: A larva that was in the rolled leaf of a Canna species.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-13 Madison Co. Comment: A rolled Canna leaf that shows an extensively skeletonized region.
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-06-12 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-06-07 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-04-08 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-09-26 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-09-08 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-09-08 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-06 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-06 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-06 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-04-24 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-02 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-04-13 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-04-11 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-03-31 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-28 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-28 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-05-25 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-04-27 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-04-27 Guilford Co. Comment: