Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

6 July 2003  10:24PM EST  (left)
6 July 2003   10:23PM EST  (right)
Both photos are of the same specimen.

My initial identification of this species was based on Covell (1984) and subsequently checked against specimens in the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa, thanks to the kindness of Dr. J. Donald Lafontaine in arranging access to this resource.

Argyrotaenia quercifoliana is one of 9 species of Argyrotaenia known to occur in the Ottawa area.  The wing is a yellowish cream color, mostly covered with an alligator-pattern of golden brown.  Two golden brown lines cross the wing diagonally from the costa, the outermost of which joins a partial terminal line to form what Covell describes as a hollow circle in the subterminal area.  Covell indicates a wingspan ranging from 1.6 to 2.4 cm.

According to Covell (1984), the larva of Argyrotaenia quercifoliana is a leaf roller on oak, witch-hazel and possibly buckthorn.  The result of an Internet search indicates a common name of Oak Leaf Roller.

I have photographed this species in 2000 on 26 July; in 2001 on 22 June; in 2002, on 2, 6, 11, 14 and 18 July; in 2003, on 29 June, and on 2, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 17 and 19 July.