Acropolitis rudisana (Walker, 1863)
 (previously known as Sciaphila rudisana)
ARCHIPINI,   TORTRICINAE,   TORTRICIDAE,   TORTRICOIDEA
  
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Acropolitis rudisana
(Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern, Aranda, Australian Capital Territory)

The caterpillars of this species lives in a shelter consisting of a rolled leaf held with silk. The caterpillar attacks a variety of plants, including:

  • Parrot Pea ( Dillwynia ericifolia , FABACEAE ),
  • Box-leaf Wattle ( Acacia buxifolia , MIMOSACEAE ),
  • Grapes ( Vitis vinifera , VITACEAE ), and
  • Monterey Pine ( Pinus radiata , PINACEAE ).

    Acropolitis rudisana
    (Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern, Aranda, Australian Capital Territory)

    The adult moth has wings that are pale brown, with a complex pattern on each forewing. The hindwings are white, shading to brown at the margins. The wingspan is about 1.5 cms. The pheromones of this species have been identified.

    Acropolitis rudisana
    (Photo: courtesy of CSIRO/BIO Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph)

    The species has been found in south-eastern Australia in :

  • New South Wales,
  • Australian Capital Territory,
  • Victoria,
  • Tasmania, and
  • South Australia.

    Acropolitis rudisana
    underside
    (Photo: courtesy of John Bromilow, Ainslie, Australian Capital Territory)

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia,
    Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 59, 60, 68.

    Francis Walker,
    Tortricites & Tineites,
    List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
    Part 28 (1863), pp. 349-350, No. 58.

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    (updated 17 December 2010, 6 July 2019, 12 November 2020)