Moths of North Carolina
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Archips Members:
14 NC Records

Archips fervidana (Clemens, 1860) - Oak Webworm Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: TortricinaeTribe: ArchipiniP3 Number: 620335.00 MONA Number: 3655.00
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: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Clemens (1860); Forbs (1923)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is based in part on the descriptions by Clemens (1860) and Forbs (1923). The palps, antennae, head and thorax vary from brownish-yellow to yellowish-brown. The forewing ground varies from brownish-yellow to yellowish-brown and is overlain by a series of darker patches or bands that vary from reddish-brown to dark brown or brownish-black. A variably expressed basal patch is present that may be faint or well expressed, and often with lighter yellowish-brown mottling. The median area has two dark brownish-black patches, one on the costa and the second near the middle of the wing and slightly posteriorly to the costal patch. Immediately adjoining the costal patch is a fainter band of reddish brown that extends to the inner margin. A second brownish-black costal patch is present in the subapical region at about four-fifths that connects to a slightly lighter band that continues to the tornus and fills much of the apical third of the wing. The costal region between the median and subapical patches is yellowish-white to cream-colored and lighter than the general ground color. The hindwing is gray to grayish-brown with a paler fringe and slightly darker basal line.
Wingspan: 15-22 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae feed communally within nests that are constructed by tightly webbing together the leaves and terminal shoots of oaks or other hosts (Felt, 1924; Baker, 1972; Williams, 2020). The nest can be as large as 8-10 cm wide and 40-50 cm long and contain substantial amounts of frass. Occasionally, they are large enough to enclose all of the leaves at the top of a tree (Baker, 1972). The late instars are dull grayish-green with black head capsules and thoracic plates. Pupation occurs within the nests and overwintering occurs in the egg stage.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Archips fervidana is found in the eastern US and in portions of southern Canada (British Columbia; Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia). In the US the range extends from Maine westward through the Great Lakes region to Minnesota and North Dakota, and southward through the Appalachian region to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. As of 2023, all of our records are from 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 May through September in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak typically in July. As of 2023, our records extend from early July through early August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are associated with mesic to dry hardwood forests that support oaks.
Larval Host Plants: Oaks appear to be the most important hosts, but other species of trees such as poplars, cherries, and hickories are also used (Craighead et al., 1950; Freeman, 1958; Schaffner, 1959; MacKay, 1962; Prentice, 1966; Baker, 1972; Brown et al., 2008). The reported hosts include hickories (Carya ), Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana), White Oak (Quercus alba), Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea), Bear Oak (Q. ilicifolia), Bur Oak (Q. macrocarpa), Pin Oak (Q. palustris), Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra), and Black Oak (Q. velutina). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the nests can be found on oaks and other hosts.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2-S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species reaches its southern limits in the southern Appalachians and appears to be uncommon in the state. More information is needed on its distribution, abundance, and host use within the state before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Archips fervidana - Oak Webworm Moth

Photos: 6

Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-07-20
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2018-07-18
Ashe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-07-14
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jackie Nelson / Doug Blatny on 2012-07-25
Ashe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jackie Nelson / Doug Blatny on 2012-07-25
Ashe Co.
Comment: