Rose Piercer Grapholita tenebrosana

Formerly given the vernacular name Deep-brown Piercer.

This species is rarely found other than by being attracted to pheremone lure. The lure used is the FUN lure intended for Plum Fruit Moth Grapholita funebrana.

This individual immediately struck me as being different from the Grapholita funebrana that I've previously had come to this lure. It was broadly similar in terms of size and lacking any distinct features except for the row of dark spots near the termen, but differed in being darker than funebrana, less long-winged and the spots near the termen were longer. However, after perusing internet images I realised that some of these characters are a bit variable in both species, which is presumably why this species is categorised as Grade 4 in Norfolk, i.e. needing dissection to confirm ID. I hadn't realised until after I had discarded this specimen that the white labial palps is also a distinguishing character from funebrana - these are evident in my photos however. I suspect that once the status of this species in Norfolk is more clearly established, the grade 4 status will be removed.

One of the images at the Dissection Group has arrows pointing to two features which are presumably considered the best to look for when differentiating from funebrana. Firstly the projection on the lower edge of the valvae is slightly longer and more hook-shaped than in funebrana, pointing backwards towards the sacculus. On a couple of images it is straigher, not pointing back, but on these two examples it is much longer than in funebrana. Secondly the upper side of the cucullus extends up into more of a point than it does in funebrana, and curving up to a much higher level than the rest of the valva, where the whole cucullus is more rounded and only rising slightly and gradually from the rest of the valva.

male Rose Piercer Grapholita tenebrosana showing genitalia, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 13th June 2022

Just four nights later this one came to light. Unfortunately it made a dash for it as I took the second photo and consequently was not confirmed by examining the genitalia. I'm happy from the external appearance that it was this species rather than funebrana.

Rose Piercer Grapholita tenebrosana, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 17th June 2022

The following year another one came to light. This was a greyer-looking individual than the two I'd seen the previous year and when I potted it I assumed it was probably funebrana. As soon as I looked at the photos I realised it was more likely tenebrosana due to the overall darkness and shorter wings.

male Rose Piercer Grapholita tenebrosana showing genitalia, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 17th June 2022