Cudonigera houstonana, commonly known as the juniper budworm moth, is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae.
Taxonomy and Classification
The species was originally described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873 under the name Tortrix houstonana. It has also been classified under the genus Choristoneura and is sometimes referred to as Choristoneura houstonana in older literature. Synonyms include Tortrix retana (Walsingham, 1879).
Distribution
This species is found in North America, with recorded occurrences in Arizona, California, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Description
The wingspan of Cudonigera houstonana is approximately 20 mm. Adults have been observed on wing from April to November.
Life Cycle
There are up to two generations per year.
Larval Host Plants
The larvae feed on the foliage of Juniperus ashei (Ashe's juniper). The larvae exhibit morphology typical of the tribe Archipini within the family Tortricidae and are known to play a notable role as defoliating pests through their feeding and webbing behaviors.
Etymology
The specific epithet houstonana likely refers to Houston, Texas, which is within the species' recorded range.
