Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), an introduced perennial plant from South America, has become widely established throughout central and south Florida. The defoliating leaflet roller Episimus utilis Zimmerman (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) native to southeastern Brazil and Paraguay was selected as a candidate biological control agent of Brazilian peppertree in Florida. The larval stage normally has five instars but occasionally six; and the entire life cycle is completed on Brazilian peppertree foliage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seven constant temperatures (10-35ºC) on developmental time and survival of E. utilis. Linear and Logan nonlinear models were used to determine the lower and upper threshold at which the developmental rate (1/D) approached zero. A map was generated using temperature data from Florida, and the ArcGis Geostatistical Analyst function was used to construct prediction grids of the number of generations of E. utilis across Florida. Results showed that E. utilis completed one generation in 588 degree days, and the lower and upper temperature thresholds for development were 9.6 ºC and 33 ºC, respectively. According to the predicted map, the number of generations of E. utilis increase from north to south Florida following a temperature gradient. The southern counties (Monroe, Dade, and Broward) will have between 8 and 10 generations per year, while the northern counties (Levy, Volusia, and St. Johns) will have between 6 and 7 generations per year. The potential distribution and population growth of the leaflet roller on Brazilian peppertree in Florida is further discussed.