The Three-lined Leafroller has a wingspan of about 1 inch (25 mm). The forewing is variably tan to brown with a darker base, median band and subapical patch. Darker areas have pale edgings. The hindwing is whitish with gray shading in the lower half. This moth was identified by volunteer experts at the BugGuide website. The caterpillar is green with a green or brown thoracic shield and head. It grows to about .50 inch.
The Three-lined Leafroller may be common in our area, but because of its small size it could easily be overlooked. It has been seen and photographed once at Fontenelle Forest in early July 2014 coming to lights.
The hosts are deciduous trees and shrubs including alder, apple, birch, maple and oak. It is considered a pest to apple trees. The larva rolls a leaf into a shelter that it fastens with ties of silk threads.
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