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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

990355n – 19355   Eupoecilia ambiguella (Hübner, 1796)
             European Grape Berry Moth

© Todd Gilligan
Distribution: Palearctic; not found in North America north of Mexico.
Seasonality
and Size:
Forewing length ranges 6.0-7.0mm.
Two generations per year, adults present in May-June and again in August-September.
Larva and
Host Plants:
Larval hosts include representatives from the Aceraceae, Araliaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Cornaceae, Grossulariaceae, Oleaceae, Rosaceae, and Vitaceae. The most economically important host is Vitis vinifera (grape).
Similar Species:
  • May be confused with other Eupoecilia, although E. ambiguella is the only cochylid commonly associated wit grape. If host is unknown, genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity. Male genitalia is characterized as having this combination of characters :
    • Reduced uncus
    • short socii
    • prominent transtilla
    • distally triangular valve
    • large phallus, about as wide as the valva and slightly longer.
    Female genitalia are characterized by a broad, short ductus bursae with spines, and not extending past sternite VII. The corpus bursae is about as long as sternite VII and with numerous sclerotized regions and spines.
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
References
  • (1) Gilligan, T.M., and Epstein, M.E. 2012. Tortricids of Agricultural Importance website
  • (2) Species Page at BOLD Barcoding Project - website.
Eupoecilia ambiguella
© Todd Gilligan

Moth Photographers Group  at the  Mississippi Entomological Museum  at the  Mississippi State University

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