Black-patched Clepsis Moth
Common NameBlack-patched Clepsis Moth
Scientific NameClepsis melaleucana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyTortricinae
Wingspan (mm)15
Primary Colorsbrown, dark brown, white
HabitatDeciduous forests, woodlands, shrublands, gardens
Geographic RangeEastern North America (from Nova Scotia west to Manitoba and south to Florida and Texas)
Host Plantsmaple, oak, birch, willow, blueberry
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are polyphagous leaf-rollers, feeding within rolled leaves of various woody and herbaceous plants. Pupation typically occurs within the rolled leaf or in leaf litter.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive dark brown to blackish patches on a lighter brown background, often with a somewhat triangular or irregular shape in the median area of the forewing, along with silvery-white speckling.
Description
A small moth with forewings patterned in shades of light to medium brown, featuring prominent dark brown to blackish patches outlined and speckled with silvery-white scales, giving it a mottled appearance.
