Cryptophlebia Walsingham, 1899 (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Grapholitini)

The uniqueness of the genus Cryptophlebia is currently being debated. Recently, several species (including the "false codling moth, Cryptophlebia leucotreta) were moved to the genus Thaumatotibia. It now appears that Cryptophlebia may be a junior synonym of Pseudogalleria, though no formal action has been taken to synonymize the two. Two Cryptophlebia species, C. illepida and C. ombrodelta, have been considered immigrants in Hawaii. However, while C. ombrodelta is known from Ceylon through Australia, Guam, and Hawaii, C. illepida has not been collected outside of Hawaii. Because of the great variety in wing pattern coloration, C. illepida was originally described by Walsingham in 1907 as four separate varieties (fulva, suffusa, tetrao, vulpes). The most reliable character to separate C. illepida and C. ombrodelta is by a ovate bare patch on the male metatibia on C. ombrodelta (but not C. illepida).

	Cryptophlebia illepida (Butler, 1882) Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower, 1898)

	Cryptophlebia illepida (Butler, 1882) "koa seedworm" Islands: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Hawaii Hostplants: Acacia, Alectryon, Cassia, Dodonaea, Inga, Litchi, Macadamia, Mangifera, Mezoneuron, Phaseolus, Pithecolobium, Sapindus, ... Status: Never collected outside of Hawaii, this species is probably native (endemic?). However, based on its "weedy" behavior (host-range), some have suggested it is an immigrant. Comments: Larvae feed within fruits/seeds, and in rust galls of Acacia. Parasitized by several Ichneumonoids & Chalcidoids. Wing patterns extremely variable (see more images below)

Source(s): Zimmerman EC. 1978. Insects of Hawaii, Vol.9.1 Microlepidoptera. The University Press of Hawaii, Honolulu.

More Cryptophlebia illepida pictures below.