Oak Leafshredder Moth

Oak Leafshredder Moth

Acleris semipurpurana

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Boston

In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%

16 Verified sightings at Boston
June Best month

About the Oak Leafshredder Moth

Acleris semipurpurana is a species in the moth family Tortricidae, and one of several species of moth commonly known as oak leaftier or oak leaf tier. The larvae feed on the leaves of oak trees in the Eastern United States and southeastern Canada which can be a major cause of defoliation. The loss of leaves can kill or damage the affected trees, which are chiefly in the Lobatae or red oak section of Quercus, or oaks.

Adult Acleris semipurpurana moths lay single eggs on oak tree branches in June which develop over winter and hatch the next April. The larvae eat tree buds and young leaves, then tie leaves together with silk (hence the name). They nest and eat inside the tied leaves, then pupate in the leaf litter on the floor in May or June. After a week or two the adult moths emerge, mate, and lay the next generation of eggs.

Oak leaftier moths lay their eggs in June each year, typically as single eggs on rough-bark twigs, typically "second year branches". The eggs overwinter, then hatch in the following spring. After larvae (or caterpillars) emerge in April, they eat the buds of oak trees and the young leaves inside them. When they are fully grown,... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Dallas 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
2 Austin 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
3 Boston 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
4 Toronto 🇨🇦 Canada
<5%
5 New York City 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
6 Washington 🇺🇸 United States
<5%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing an Oak Leafshredder Moth in Boston?

Rare

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report an Oak Leafshredder Moth sighting in Boston on a given day, based on 16 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 565th most-seen of the 1200 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see an Oak Leafshredder Moth in Boston?

June

In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report an Oak Leafshredder Moth in Boston on a given day, against under 5% in July to May, the lowest months.

Is Boston the best place to see an Oak Leafshredder Moth?

Among the best

Of the 6 cities where we can rate Oak Leafshredder Moth sightings, Boston ranks 3rd at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Dallas (United States, under 5%) and Austin (United States, under 5%).

Where does the Oak Leafshredder Moth sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Oak Leafshredder Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Boston (16 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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