Merophyas divulsana

Merophyas divulsana (Walker, 1863)
(one synonym : Tortrix ischnosema)
Lucerne Leaf Roller
ARCHIPINI, TORTRICINAE , TORTRICIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 2 September 2008)

(Photo: courtesy of Agriculture Western Australia)

The Caterpillars of this species are an agricultural pest in Australia, feeding on various crops and herbaceous garden plants, including :

Lucerne ( Medicago sativa, FABACEAE ),

Carrot ( Daucus carota, APIACEAE ),

Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa, ASTERACEAE )

Honeysuckle ( Lonicera japonica, CAPRIFOLIACEAE ),

Black Roly Poly ( Sclerolaena muricata, CHENOPODIACEAE )

Geranium ( Pelargonium x zonale, GERANIACEAE ),

Spearmint ( Mentha spicata, LAMIACEAE ), and

Dock ( Rumex species, POLYGONACEAE ).

They grow to a length of about 1 cm.

(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The adult moths have light brown fore wings, with a darker diagonal band across each wing, and pale grey hind wings. They have a wingspan of about 1.5 cms.

The species is found over the whole of Australia including Tasmania. The moths have also been found in New Zealand, apparently blown there by cyclonic winds. The pheromones of this species have been determined, and synthetic versions used to trap the moths.