Moths of North Carolina
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38 NC Records

Syndemis afflictana (Walker, 1863) - Gray Leafroller Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: TortricinaeTribe: ArchipiniP3 Number: 620340.00 MONA Number: 3672.00
Comments: Rubinoff et al. (2017) examined molecular variation in Syndemis afflictana and provided evidence that there are five undescribed species in California masquerading as Syndemis afflictana. Populations from the remainder of the range in North America appear to constitute a single species. Here, we do not include the California populations with this species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Chapman and Lienk (1971)                                                                                  
Adult Markings: In this species the head, palps, antennae and thorax are light to dull gray. The forewing ground is dull gray with scattered blackish reticulations. The most prominent mark is a broad, light gray, posteriorly oblique fascia that begins on the costa at around one third and ends on the inner margin where it broadens substantially. The fascia is margined by an irregular black line on the inner edge that is angled at the middle, and a similar line on the outer margin that is more-or-less straight. The fascia is preceded by a relatively dark basal region, while the outer edge adjoins a darker band whose outer margin is defined by a broken, irregular black line. A light costal patch is usually evident immediately posterior to the dark band. In some individuals it may continue across the wing as a faint band that reaches the tornal region. The fringe is gray and the hindwing is brown to dull gray with a paler fringe.
Wingspan: 18-22 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Adult Structural Features: Freeman (1958) has illustrations of the female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are polyphagous and feed on both conifers and hardwood species. They are solitary feeders that move about while feeding on the foliage. In Canada and elsewhere populations are univoltine. The final-instar larvae overwinter and pupate with the arrival of warmer spring weather. Pupation occurs in early June and the adults fly from mid-to late June (Natural Resources Canada). The larvae are present again from late July to October. The mature larva can reach 20 mm in length and the head is green and unmarked. The body is yellowish green with a yellowish subdorsal stripe and a prominent cream colored spiracular stripe. Chapman and Lienk (1971) reported that the full-grown larvae in apple orchards in New York overwinter in tubular shelters in dead leaves. They also often use the abandoned spring nests of Spilonota ocellana. They apparently do not feed in the spring, and immediately pupate with the arrival of warm spring weather. Pupation in North Carolina likely occurs in March and April based on the seasonal appearance of adults.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Syndemis afflictana is broadly distributed across southern Canada, the eastern US, and the Pacific Northwest. Specimens have been found in southern Canada from Nova Scotia westward to British Columbia, and in nearby Washington and Oregon. Populations in California appear to be a complex of undescribed species (Rubinoff et al., 2017) and are not included here. In the eastern US the range extends from Maine westward through the Great Lakes region to Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. The range also extends southward through the Appalachian region to eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. As of 2023, all but one 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: Adults have been observed from March through September in different areas of the range, with the seasonal peak in abundance in most areas from April though June. As of 2023, our records extend from early May through early June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally associated with forested landscapes. They can be found in both conifer-dominated and hardwood dominated forests, and along forest edges and in apple orchards.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are polyphagous and feed on both conifers and hardwoods (Walsingham, 1879; Forbes, 1923; Freeman, 1958; Powell, 1964; Prentice, 1966; Ferguson, 1975; Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010). The reported hosts include firs, including Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), maples (Acer), alders (Alnus), birches (Beluta), hawthorns (Crataegus), domesticated apples (Malus domestica), Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica), spruces (Picea), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), brambles (Rubus), Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and willows (Salix). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S4S5]
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 range limit in the southern Appalachians but shows no evidence of recent marked population declines. It is somewhat uncommon, but well-represented in the Blue Ridge.

 Photo Gallery for Syndemis afflictana - Gray Leafroller Moth

33 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-14
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-04-08
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-08
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-02
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-05-31
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-05-11
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-28
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-21
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Emily L Stanley on 2023-04-16
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-11
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-06
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-04
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-04-21
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-04-16
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-05-07
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-18
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-13
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-13
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2020-06-01
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-04-17
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-04-06
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2019-04-26
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2019-04-26
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-04-16
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-04-16
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-10
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-10
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-04
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-04
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2014-04-25
Madison Co.
Comment: