Is the alien species Clepsis peritana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) settling in Italy?

Abstract

Clepsis peritana (Clemens, 1860) is a native species of North America that has been accidentally introduced in Europe in 80’s. This species was mentioned as occurring in Gibraltar, Spain, Denmark and Italy, but no precise collecting data were provided. The presence of the garden tortrix, Clepsis peritana, in Italy is confirmed by a single specimen collected in Central Italy (Umbria region) that is identified by both external characters and dissection of the male genitalia.

Keywords

• Clepsis peritana
• garden tortrix
• moth
• alien species