Canna leaf roller refers to two different
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera ( ) or lepidopterans is an order (biology), order of winged insects which includes butterflies and moths. About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera have been described, representing 10% of the total described species of living organ ...
species that are pests of cultivated
cannas.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths).
As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Sym ...
of the Brazilian skipper butterfly (''
Calpodes ethlius''), also known as the larger canna leaf roller, cut the leaves and roll them over to live inside while pupating and eating the leaf. In addition, caterpillars of the lesser canna leaf roller (''
Geshna cannalis''), a
grass moth
Crambidae comprises the grass moth family of lepidopterans. They are variable in appearance, with the nominal subfamily Crambinae (grass moths) taking up closely folded postures on grass stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies ...
, will sew the leaves shut before they can unfurl by spinning a silk thread around the leaf.
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Featured Creatures: Lesser Canna Leafroller.
/ref> The resultant leaf damage can be distressing to a gardener.
References
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External links
Butterflies and Moths of North America: Brazilian Skipper
Garden pests
Insect common names