Basswood Leafroller – Pantographa limata – Toronto, Ontario

This may be one of my new favourite Ontario moths; I find the colour and pattern of the wings to be quite striking. It also has one of the more literal common names, as the larvae role up leaves of a diversity of trees, including basswoods (Tilia). Although called a leafroller, this moth belongs in the family Crambidae, not the Tortricidae where most other leafrollers are found.

The Basswood Leafroller is host to tachinid parasites in the genus Carcelia, as well as Nilea erecta. Basswood Leafroller caterpillars have also been considered “Tasty” to Paraponeura clavata ants in Costa Rica.