Bug FAQRose Tortrix Moth
Archips rosana · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Tortricidae
Also called: European leafroller, Rose Tortrix, Rose Twist
Source: Wikipedia
Adults have a wingspan of about 15 to 24 mm and show wavy patterns on their forewings and grey hindwings often tipped with orange. The larvae live inside rolled leaves of fruit plants such as raspberry and cultivated rose, where they feed and can harm the plants. Moths are on the wing from May to August, pupate in April to May, and the species overwinters as an egg.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Forewings have a sinuate, vertical termen. Females show an irregular light-brown costal fold that may be reddish and darker-streaked. A dorsal spot is present near the wing base. The front edge of the central fascia is wavy. A faint costal patch bears a broken darker brown line; females may lack it and have some dark terminal marks. Hindwings are grey, with the apex often showing orange.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The wingspan ranges from 15 to 24 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed inside rolled leaves of various fruit plants, especially raspberry and cultivated rose.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Pupation takes place in April and May. The species overwinters as an egg.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from May to August, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It occurs throughout the Palearctic and Nearctic realms.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 10 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Oregon, Maine.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What plants does the rose tortrix damage?
Its larvae feed inside rolled leaves of raspberry and cultivated rose, harming those plants.
Source: Wikipedia
When are adult rose tortrix moths active?
Adults fly from May through August, with timing varying by region.
Source: Wikipedia
How does the rose tortrix overwinter?
The species spends the winter in the egg stage.
Source: Wikipedia
When does pupation occur for the rose tortrix?
Pupation happens during April and May.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Tortricidae)
Oblique-banded Leafroller MothChoristoneura rosaceanaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Garden TortrixClepsis peritanaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Common MarbleSyricoris lacunanaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Red-banded Leafroller MothArgyrotaenia velutinanaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Light Brown Apple MothEpiphyas postvittanaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Aster and Reddish Eucosma Moths and AlliesEucosma parmatanaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archips_rosana
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-27 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-27.