Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

22 July 2003   (top) (specimen collected 19 July 2003)
21 July 2003   8:43PM EST  (bottom)

My initial identification of this species was based on Covell (1984) and subsequently checked by comparison of my photos with specimens in the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa.  Access to this resource was kindly arranged by Dr. J. Donald Lafontaine.  My thanks to Dr. P.T. Dang of the Canadian Forest Service for confirming the identification of the specimen in the top photo, which was collected and given to the Canadian National Collection.

Archips purpurana is one of a dozen or so species of Archips known to occur in the Ottawa area.  It is distinguishable from other similar species of tortricid by its shape, the costal edge of the forewing having a very noticeable inward curve after the midpoint, then curving outwards again to the apex.  The outer margin also curves inwards just below the apex.  In the specimens I have seen, the forewing is pale brown, covered in a fine net-like pattern of darker brown streaks and lines.  The median band is sometimes shaded with darker brown, especially at the costa and in the lower half towards the inner margin.  Often there is also some darker brown shading below the indented curve of the costa.  Covell (1984) indicates a wingspan ranging from 1.8 to 2.7 cm.

According to Covell, the larvae of Archips purpurana feed on a variety of plants, including apple, blueberry, geranium, goldenrod, sassafras, strawberry, violets and willow.

I have photographed this species in 2000, on 8 and 13 August; in 2003, on 19(22), 21, 29 and 30 July, and on 1 August.