Canna leaf roller refers to two different
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera ( ) is an order (biology), order of insects that includes butterfly, butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 Family (biology), families and 46 Taxonomic r ...
species that are pests of cultivated
cannas
''Canna'' or canna lily is the only genus of flowering plants in the family Cannaceae, consisting of 10 species.The Cannaceae of the World, Hiltje Maas-van de Kamer, H. Maas-van der Kamer & Paulus Johannes Maria Maas, P.J.M. Maas, BLUMEA 53: 24 ...
.
Caterpillars 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, 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
{{reflist
External links
Butterflies and Moths of North America: Brazilian Skipper
Garden pests
Insect common names