Red-banded leafroller moth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-banded leafroller moth |
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| Scientific classification |
The red-banded leafroller moth (scientific name: Argyrotaenia velutinana) is a type of moth that belongs to the Tortricidae family. You can find this moth in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It lives from Quebec and Ontario all the way down to Florida, and west to Texas and Iowa. It has also been seen in British Columbia.
What Does It Look Like?
The moth's wingspan is usually between 13 and 20 millimeters (about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch). Its front wings have a wide band that goes diagonally across them. This band is reddish in female moths and blackish in male moths.
The area near the base of the wings is a light yellowish-brown. It has darker shading closer to the inner edge. The back wings are a dull white or light gray color, with a pale fringe around the edges.
Life Cycle
Adult moths are active from February to October. They can have two to four new groups of offspring (called generations) each year.
The Larva Stage
The young moths, called larvae, are caterpillars. They are green with a pale stripe down their back. Their heads are yellowish. These larvae can grow to be about 16 millimeters long.
They eat many different plants. This includes the leaves and fruit of apple trees and other fruit trees. They also feed on spruce trees and various vegetables.
How They Survive Winter
The species spends the winter as a pupa. A pupa is a stage where the larva changes into an adult moth. They usually hide in folded leaves on the ground to stay safe during the cold months.
See also
In Spanish: Argyrotaenia velutinana para niños
