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Species Details
Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameDestructive Prune Worm
SeasonalityAll specimens in the E. H. Strickland museum have been collected in July and August, but the moth may occur in June as well, probably dependent on the spring and early summer weather.
IdentificationA fairly small micro moth (wingspan > 25 mm), with a slender body and fairly broad wings. The forewings a triangular, narrow at base and broad at apex. The ground color of the forewing is gray dusted with white scales, with a conspicuous bi-colored brown and white basal cross-band, a small elongate discal spot, and a blackish and white apical zigzag band, the latter often with distal reddish-brown shading. The hind wings are broad and white with grayish margins.
Scientific Name
Acrobasis tricolorella
Common Name
Destructive Prune Worm
Habitat
Not known in detail for Alberta, but the moth probably occurs in many kinds of parkland and open forest where suitable host plats are found.
Seasonality
All specimens in the E. H. Strickland museum have been collected in July and August, but the moth may occur in June as well, probably dependent on the spring and early summer weather.
Identification
A fairly small micro moth (wingspan 25 mm), with a slender body and fairly broad wings. The forewings a triangular, narrow at base and broad at apex. The ground color of the forewing is gray dusted with white scales,…
A fairly small micro moth (wingspan > 25 mm), with a slender body and fairly broad wings. The forewings a triangular, narrow at base and broad at apex. The ground color of the forewing is gray dusted with white scales, with a conspicuous bi-colored brown and white basal cross-band, a small elongate discal spot, and a blackish and white apical zigzag band, the latter often with distal reddish-brown shading. The hind wings are broad and white with grayish margins.
Life History
The moth over winters as small larva on the host plant. It pupates in early summer and emerges as adult in mid and late summer. In north-western USA the moth can sometimes be a pest in prune orchards.
Conservation
Little is known about the status of A. tricolorella in Alberta, but it is not likely to be of any conservation concern.
Diet Info
The larvae generally feeds on buds and fruits of the genus Prunus (cherries and plums), but may feed on a variety of members of the rose-family such as Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana).
Range
Widespread in southern Canada and northern USA. All specimens in the E. H. Strickland museum have been collected in Edmonton, but the moth likely occurs southern and central part of the province.
Citation
Page Citation for Acrobasis tricolorella
Page Citation
"Species Details - Acrobasis tricolorella, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search-test.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6405/9-411378. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.
References
Author
Heinrich, C.
Title
American Moths of the Subfamily Phycitinae.
Publication Date
1956
Series Title
United States National Museum Bulletin
Volume
207
Pages
1-581
Author
Neunzig, H. H.
Title
Pyraloidea, Pyralidae (Part).
Publication Date
1997
Pages
157 pp
Specimen Information
There are 70 specimens of this Species.
UASM42613 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1945-07-21
UASM42614 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-07-25
UASM42615 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-07-03
UASM42616 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1937-07-03
UASM42617 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1939-08-28
UASM42618 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1929-07-18
UASM42619 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1941-07-13
UASM42620 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1926-06-26
UASM42621 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1930-07-13
UASM42622 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1951-08-03
UASM42623 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1929-07-14
UASM42624 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-07-02
UASM92527 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bindloss
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-07-07/2008-07-12
UASM92528 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bindloss
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-07-07/2008-07-13
UASM92731 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2009-07-14
UASM92732 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2009-07-14
UASM92733 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2009-07-14
UASM92734 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2009-07-14
JD1015 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.; Anweiler, G.
Date Collected2006-06-27
JD1784 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Boundary Creek Provincial Park
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Rose, A.
Date Collected2006-09-03
JD1971 - Acrobasis tricolorella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Tranquille Ecological Reserve
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Rose, A.
Date Collected2006-09-01