Argyrotaenia velutinana Walker 1863

Not of concern, a major pest of apple in some areas.

The adult is single brooded and flies throughout May in Alberta, while in southern areas it has two to four broods per year and flies from late April until September (Chapman & Lienk 1971).

From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Florida and Texas. In Alberta known from the aspen parkland.

"This species is variable and sexually dimorphic with females being considerably larger and usually darker overall. In the forewing of typical specimens the basal patch is filled with black in the lower half and surrounded by orange or orange and yellow shading. The median band is dark brown to brownish orange with a straight inner margin, except for a small rounded indentation above the middle in some specimens. The outer margin of the median band varies from nearly straight to bumpy. A brownish triangle or polygon is present on the costa near the apex and continues as an interrupted line towards the anal angle. The outermost part of the forewing is typically yellow and in most males this yellow continues through much of the rest of the wing. The hindwing is light to dark grey with a pale yellow apex. The larva is green and unmarked (Chapman & Lienk 1971)."

Probably most common in urban settings with apple trees, also found in shrubby areas.

This species hibernates as a pupa inside a folded leaf on the ground. Eggs are laid on tree trunks, branches or foliage. The larva starts out creating a small silk shelter where it skeletonizes the underside of the leaf along the midvein. Later instars silk together two leaves, or a leaf to a fruit. (Chapman & Lienk 1971)

This species is polyphagous on the foliage and fruit of deciduous trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, and rarely conifers. It can be a major pest of apple orchards. (Chapman & Lienk 1971)