Lesser Canna Leafroller – Geshna cannalisLesser

Lesser Canna Leafroller- Geshna cannalis Common Name: Lesser Canna Leafroller Latin Name: Geshna cannalis Appearance: The adult Lesser Canna Leafroller is a small moth with a wingspan of about 15-20 mm. The forewings are brown with two pale stripes, while the hindwings are pale gray with fringed edges. The larvae are tiny and greenish-yellow, with blackheads and prolegs.

• Egg:The eggs are small, round, and pale yellow, laid singly on the underside of canna leaves.
• Pupae:The pupae are small, brown, and about 10-12 mm long.
• Larva:The larvae are tiny and greenish-yellow, with blackheads and prolegs. They are about 10-12 mm in length when fully grown.
• Adults:The adult Lesser Canna Leafroller is a small moth with a wingspan of about 15-20 mm. The forewings are brown with two pale stripes, while the hindwings are pale gray with fringed edges.

Host plants: The Lesser Canna Leafroller primarily feeds on canna lilies (Canna spp.), but it has also been found on other plants such as ginger (Zingiber officinale) and arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea). Territory: The Lesser Canna Leafroller is found throughout the southern United States, from Florida to Texas. Damages caused by Lesser Canna Leafroller: The larvae of the Lesser Canna Leafroller create shelters by rolling up canna leaves with silk threads, and they feed inside the rolled-up leaves. This can cause damage to the leaves and reduce the plant’s vigor. Life history and Habits: The Lesser Canna Leafroller overwinters as a pupa in plant debris or soil. In the spring, the moths emerge and mate and the females lay eggs on the underside of canna leaves. The larvae hatch and feed, rolling up leaves to create their shelters. The larvae go through several instars before pupating inside their covers. The entire life cycle can be completed in about 4-6 weeks, and there may be several generations per year.