Moths of North Carolina

sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
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Dichomeris juncidella Orange-spotted Dichomeris MONA_number: 2298.00		Dichomeris juncidella has an overall dark-brown to blackish-brown color that contrasts sharply with its yellowish-white or orangish-white labial palps. A prominent scale tuft is present on the lower half of the palp, while the top of the head is shining dark gray to nearly black, with intense metallic-yellow reflections (Hodges, 1986). The vertex and occiput are shining dark-gray with yellow and lavender reflections, while the antenna, thorax, forewing and terminal fringe are unicolorous and typically dark-brown to blackish-brown (lighter in worn specimens). The forewing often has a few pale-orange spots that include a light mark on the costal margin at three-fourths the wing length, a few pale scales on the fold at two-thirds the length of the fold, a spot at the end of the cell, and another at two-thirds the length of the cell. Individuals vary in the expression of the spots and some individuals may lack them altogether. Dichomeris juncidella is sometimes confused with D. agonia, but the latter tends to be lighter-colored and has yellowish orange labial palps with the first and second segments heavily dusted with grayish-brown scales (Hodges, 1986). The vertex and occiput are yellowish gray, and the spot at the end of the cell is usually pale yellow or yellowish gray and much more prominent than that of D. juncidella. Dichomeris juncidella also has an outwardly curved, transverse, dark subterminal band on the forewing (often obscure) versus a relatively straight, transverse band on D. agonia.		The larvae are generalists and use a taxonomically diverse group of host plants (Hodges, 1986; Loeffler, 1994; Eiseman, 2024; BugGuide). As of 2025, the reported hosts include Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Giant Ragweed (A. trifida), Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), Devil's-walkingstick (A. spinosa), strawberry (Fragaria), Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), goldenrods (Solidago spp.), including Giant Goldenrod (S. gigantea), and asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). Charley Eiseman also reared this species in North Carolina from a larva on Spanish-needles (Bidens bipinnata).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Dichomeris fistuca None MONA_number: 2295.10		Hodges (1986) reported that D. inserrata and D. fistuca have nearly identical external coloration and patterning and require the examination of genitalia for accurate identification. Both species have a two-toned forewing with a creamy-yellow to orangish-yellow region that fills most of the subcostal portion of the wing, along with two large, brownish-black to blackish marks on the remainder of the wing. The first extends from near the wing base along the inner margin and gradually widens near the middle of the wing, then curves inward and terminates on the inner margin at around three-fourths the wing length. The second is a semi-oval mark that fills most of the apical third of the wing. The two marks meet at around three-fourths the wing length and are partially separated by a broadly-angled tooth that tapers to a blunt tip just beyond the middle of the wing. Both species have a noticeable indention along the edge of the basal mark at around two-fifths the wing length that helps to separate these from D. flavocostella. Although Hodges (1986) favored the use of genitalia for identification, he also noted that the shape of the posterior (inner) margin of the pale costal band in the forewing is useful for sorting these species out. For D. inserrata, the posterior margin is generally straight from the wing base to two-fifths the wing length where the black band bulges outward. It is also either straight or slightly convex as it cuts diagonally across the wing from about two-thirds the wing length to the subapical region of the costa. In contrast, the basal and terminal sections are usually bowed inward for D. fistuca. When combined with the middle section, these produce a pattern of three concave arches. In North Carolina, Coastal Plain specimens of D. fistuca that have been identified based on genitalia tend to have a dull orangish-yellow color in the subcostal region. In contrast, D. inserrata from the mountains that have been identified based on genitalia tend to have a cream-colored to dull white subcostal region. Dichromeris fistuca from the Coastal Plain also commonly has one or more small teeth or indentions between the wing base and the major indentation at two-fifths, while D. inserrata from the Blue Ridge does not. In general, these two groups fit the patterns in maculation described above by Hodges (1986). Most specimens from the Piedmont resemble D. inserrata from the mountains (see examples on iNaturalist), but have not been identified based on genitalia to confirm that they are this species. We elected to treat these as D. inserrata based on their maculation and geographic distribution, with the caveat that species from this region need confirmation based on the examination of genitalia. Hodges (1986) reported the range of D. fistuca to include Florida northward to coastal South Carolina, which is consistent with our tentative assignment of Piedmont populations to D. inserrata, i.e., that D. fistuca is rarely found outside of the Coastal Plain.	Our records are mostly from xeric habitats that are often in close proximity to wetlands. The Blue Ridge records are a mountain bog.	The larval host plants appear to be undocumented (Hodges, 1986).	The adults are attracted to lights.		GNR S2S4
Dichomeris inserrata Indented Dichomeris MONA_number: 2297.00		Hodges (1986) reported that D. inserrata and D. fistuca have nearly identical external coloration and patterning and require the examination of genitalia for accurate identification. Both species have a two-toned forewing with a creamy-yellow to orangish-yellow region that fills most of the subcostal portion of the wing, along with two large, brownish-black to blackish marks on the remainder of the wing. The first extends from near the wing base along the inner margin and gradually widens near the middle of the wing, then curves inward and terminates on the inner margin at around three-fourths the wing length. The second is a semi-oval mark that fills most of the apical third of the wing. The two marks meet at around three-fourths the wing length and are partially separated by a broadly-angled tooth that tapers to a blunt tip just beyond the middle of the wing. Both species have a noticeable indention along the edge of the basal mark at around two-fifths the wing length that helps to separate these from D. flavocostella. Although Hodges (1986) favored the use of genitalia for identification, he also noted that the shape of the posterior (inner) margin of the pale costal band in the forewing is useful for sorting these species out. For D. inserrata, the posterior margin is generally straight from the wing base to two-fifths the wing length where the black band bulges outward. It is also either straight or slightly convex as it cuts diagonally across the wing from about two-thirds the wing length to the subapical region of the costa. In contrast, the basal and terminal sections are usually bowed inward for D. fistuca. When combined with the middle section, these produce a pattern of three concave arches. In North Carolina, Coastal Plain specimens of D. fistuca that have been identified based on genitalia tend to have a dull orangish-yellow color in the subcostal region. In contrast, D. inserrata from the mountains that have been identified based on genitalia tend to have a cream-colored to dull white subcostal region. Dichromeris fistuca from the Coastal Plain also commonly has one or more small teeth or indentions between the wing base and the major indentation at two-fifths, while D. inserrata from the Blue Ridge does not. In general, these two groups fit the patterns in maculation described above by Hodges (1986), Most specimens from the Piedmont resemble D. inserrata from the mountains (see examples on iNaturalist), but have not been identified based on genitalia to confirm that they are this species. We elected to treat these as D. inserrata based on their maculation and geographic distribution, with the caveat that species from this region need confirmation based on the examination of genitalia. Hodges (1986) reported the range of D. fistuca to include Florida northward to coastal South Carolina, which is consistent with our tentative assignment of Piedmont populations to D. inserrata, i.e., that D. fistuca is rarely found outside of the Coastal Plain.	This species is generally associated with fields, forest edges and semi-wooded residential neighborhoods with goldenrods nearby.	Larvae feed on goldenrods (Solidago spp.), including Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima; Hodges, 1986; Loeffler 1994).	The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found on goldenrods during the summer months.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Dichomeris flavocostella Cream-edged Dichomeris MONA_number: 2295.00		Dichomeris flavocostella is rather boldly marked with a creamy-yellow to orangish-yellow region that fills most of the subcostal portion of the wing, along with two large, brownish-black to blackish marks on the remainder of the wing. The first extends from near the wing base along the inner margin. It gradually widens near the middle of the wing, then smoothly curves inward and terminates on the inner margin at around three-fourths the wing length. The second is a semi-oval mark that fills most of the apical third of the wing. The two marks meet at around three-fourths the wing length and are partially separated by a creamy-yellow tooth that tapers to a fine tip just beyond the middle of the wing. A small black spot is usually centered within the tooth. The outer fringe is grayish-brown with a series of diffuse, cream-colored patches along the base, while the thorax and legs are predominantly dark brown to blackish. The hindwing is yellowish gray. The first and second segments of the labial palp are light orange on the ventral margin, and the dorsal surface of the second segment has a prominent tuft. The third segment is light orange with a brown apex (Hodges, 1986). The frons is pale orange, while the vertex and occiput are metallic grayish-brown medially and pale-orange more dorsally. The antenna is mostly brown, but with light orange on the first or second segments. Dichomeris flavocostella is morphologically similar to both D. fistuca and D. inserrata, but in the latter two the basal dark mark is more irregular and less smoothly rounded, while the creme-colored tooth is blunter and less acutely angled.	Loeffler (1994) reported that this was the most common species that she encountered in large or contiguous fields that were searched in Pennsylvania and Florida, and that it was rarely encountered in forests. It was also found in gravel bars along streams, which may have been an important goldenrod habitat before European colonization. Our records generally come from open areas, but are not associated with specific types of natural communities.	The larvae feed on asters, goldenrods, and sunflowers (Hodges, 1986; Robinson et al., 2010). Loeffler (1994) conducted a comprehensive study of host use by this and other Dichomeris species in the Northeast that use goldenrods and asters and documented the following hosts: Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima), Cutleaf Goldenrod (S. arguta), White Goldenrod (S. bicolor), Early Goldenrod (S. juncea), Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (S. rugosa), White Panicle Aster (S. lanceolatum) and New England Aster (S. novae-angliae).	The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found in leaf folds on goldenrods and asters.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S5
Walshia new species nr. elegans MONA_number: 1614.10							GNR SNR [S1]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Urodus parvula Bumelia Webworm Moth MONA_number: 2415.00				Reported hosts include Red Bay (Persea borbonia), Hibiscus, and oak (Covell, 1984; Heppner, 2007). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded on Swamp Bay (Persea palustris).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S4S5]
Ulophora groteii None MONA_number: 5900.00				Larvae reportedly feed on Goat's-rue (Tephrosia virginiana) (Robinson et al., 2010).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]
Tulsa finitella None MONA_number: 5809.00				Larvae have been reported on blueberry (Vaccinium) and birch (Betula) (Robinson et al., 2010).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]
Tineidae new species No. 2 MONA_number: 434.97							GNR SNR [S2S3]
Thyraylia hollandana species complex MONA_number: 3847.02				Unknown			GNR SNR [S2S3]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Tacoma feriella None MONA_number: 5901.00				Host plants are poorly documented, with one record from European Mistletoe (Viscum album) (Robinson et al., 2023).			GNR SNR [S2S3]
Salebriaria turpidella None MONA_number: 5771.00				Heppner (2007) lists oaks as the host plants in Florida. There are BugGuide records from George Smiley in Texas of larvae reared from Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata) and Bur Oak (Q. macrocarpa). We do not have any larval records in North Carolina.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]
Salebriaria tenebrosella None MONA_number: 5775.00		"Need high quality images to detect presence or absence of reddish scales in these [tenebrosella, fasciata, and rufimaculatella]" (Scholtens, 2017)		Larvae feed on oaks, with reported hosts including White Oak (Quercus alba), Post Oak (Q. stellata), and Sand Post Oak (Q. margaretiae) (Marquis et al., 2019; Robinson et al., 2010). We do not have any larval records in North Carolina.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]
Salebriaria simpliciella MONA_number: 5775.70							GNR SNR [S1S2]
Salebriaria pumilella None MONA_number: 5776.00				Larvae reportedly feed on oaks, including Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) (Robinson et al., 2010). There is a BugGuide record (George Smiley, 2023) of a larva reared from Overcup Oak (Q. lyrata) in Texas. In North Carolina, Live Oak would fit the location of our few records for the species, but larvae have not been observed.			GNR SNR [S2S3]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Salebriaria engeli Engel's Salebriaria MONA_number: 5773.00				Larvae feed on oaks, with reported hosts including Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) and Black Oak (Q. velutina) (Lill, 2008; Marquis et al., 2019).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]
Salebriaria annulosella Black-patched Salebriaria MONA_number: 5774.00				Host plants are apparently unknown.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]
Pyrausta subsequalis Mottled Pyrausta MONA_number: 5060.00		This wide-ranging species exhibits substantial individually, seasonally, sexually and geographic variation. Munroe (1976) recognized four subspecies, with Pyrausta s. subsequalis occurring in the eastern U.S. The following description in based on those of Forbes (1923) and Monroe (1976) for the eastern subspecies. Female and males are sexually dimorphic with regards to coloration and clarity of patterning. For females, the forewing ground color ranges from ocherous-yellow to dull- orange. The antemedial line is wavy, while the postmedial line is sinuous. The orbicular and reniform spots are black and conspicuous, and the median area of the wing is often suffused with black. The subterminal region has a broad dark shade that either narrows or is interrupted in the middle. It is followed by a band of ground color and a thin terminal line at the base of the black fringe. The hindwing is bright orange, with a large black discal dot. There are two outer black bands that parallel the outer margin, and the fringe is black. In males, the forewing ground color is brown and often scaled with dull red. The hindwing is black, with short postmedial and terminal orange lines only. For both sexes, the most useful field traits are the conspicuous black orbicular and reniform spots, the broad, dark subterminal shade that either narrows or is interrupted in the middle, and the banded hindwings.		The host plants are poorly documented, but include members of three families of flowering plants (Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010; Beadle and Leckie, 2018). The reported hosts include thistles (Cirsium and Carduus spp.), including Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), a mint (Mentha sp.), and Black Cherry (Prunus serotina).	The adults are commonly seen in the open during the day either resting on vegetation or nectaring on low-growing plants. They also occasionally attracted to lights.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]
Pseudotelphusa palliderosacella None MONA_number: 1873.00				Larvae reportedly feed on oaks (Forbes, 1923).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]
Platynota exasperatana Exasperating Platynota MONA_number: 3743.00		In this species the vertex of the head and the dorsum of the labial palp are usually whitish. The thorax is mostly whitish with varying amounts of fine, darker mottling. The forewing is variable in coloration, but typically has a ground color of dark smoky gray that is overlain with numerous, blackish, irregular, transverse striae with raised scales. A small semicircular patch of pale or white scales is present at the base of the dorsal margin and adjoins the thorax when a resting individual has the wings folded. Most specimens have a dark and often vague, subapical, semicircular patch on the costa about three-fourths the distance from the base to the apex that is preceded by an irregular whitish to dull-white patch. The terminal fourth of the wing is usually lighter than the basal three fourths, with various shades of grayish to ocherous white. Males have a complex hood on the head and a costal fold that terminates before reaching the middle of the wing, while females have palps that are noticeably longer than the males. Platynota exasperatana resembles P. semiustana but can be distinguished by the presence of pale whitish-yellow scaling on the dorsum of the labial palps (blackish in P. semiustana), and by the presence of a white or cream-colored blotch at the base of the dorsal margin of the forewing.	This species is commonly found in hardwood forests or mixed conifer-hardwood forests, as well as forest edge habitats and residential neighborhoods. We have records that range from mesic hardwood slopes in the Blue Ridge to much drier habitats in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain. Many of our records are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods.	The hosts are apparently unknown.	The adults are attracted to lights.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S4S5]	This species is widespread and somewhat common in the state and appear to be secure.
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Phyllocnistis New Species one MONA_number: 854.05	Phyllocnistis is a large genus with more than 125 described species worldwide, with 16 species currently recognized in North America. Davis and Wagner (2011) surmised that there may be hundreds of undescribed species in the neotropics. The adults of some species are very similar, and knowledge of the host plant and mine characteristics is helpful in identifying morphologically similar species (Eiseman, 2019).			In North Carolina, mines have been recorded on Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida).			GNR SNR [S2S3]
Phycitodes mucidella White-edged Phycitodes MONA_number: 5946.00				Reported hosts include thistles and asters (Heppner, 2007).			GNR SNR [S3S4]
Peoria insularis None MONA_number: 6056.10			Our records are all from the Coastal Plain from barrier island dunes and inland sandhills. Sites include both open dry-xeric sandbarrens to wet-mesic seeps and pocosin ecotones.	The host plants are apparently unknown.			GNR SNR [S2S3]
Pelochrista fiskeana None MONA_number: 3129.00	Pelochrista is a large Holarctic genus of tortricids with around 75% of the 226 described species being native to North America (Wright and Gilligan, 2017). The highest species richness occurs in the western half of North America. The genus has a long and confusing taxonomic history, with many of the species formerly placed in the genus Eucosma. Gilligan et al. (2014) conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Pelochrista, Eucosma, and related genera and redefined the genus Eucosma and Pelochrista based on differences in female genitalia. The great majority of Pelochrista species are known only from adults, which likely reflects the fact that the larvae of most species bore into stem bases and roots and are concealed from view. Members of the Asteraceae are the likely hosts for most species (Wright and Gilligan, 2017), but much work need to be done to identifying the hosts.	The following description is based on that of Wright (2015). The frons is pale tan and the vertex scales are brownish gray with tan tips. The medial surfaces of the first and second segments of the labial palp vary from tan to white, the lateral surfaces are brownish gray to blackish gray, and the third segment is blackish brown. The antenna is brown with a scape that has a blackish mark on the dorsal surface. The dorsal surface of the thorax is brown to dark grayish brown. The anterior surfaces of the foreleg and midleg are blackish brown, while the posterior surfaces are tan. The hindleg is largely tan. The foreleg and midleg have tan marks at the midtibia and the distal end of the tibia, and the tarsi have tan annulations. The ground color of the forewing is light brown to blackish brown and is overlain with dark brown fasciae. they are thinly edged with white and usually contrast with the paler interfascial areas. A subbasal fascia is present that is chevron-shaped, nearly complete, and often weakly interrupted by paler scaling. The median fascia is complete and forms a wide band that is outwardly oblique from the mid-costa to the pre-tornal portion of the inner margin. A narrow postmedian band is also present that extends from the costa to the mid-termen and is often constricted or interrupted on the radius. The ocellus varies from being well-defined to obscure and has lustrous gray bars on the proximal, distal, and posterior margins. The central field of the ocellus is concolorous with the interfasial areas and crossed by up to four black dashes. The distal one-half of the costa has inconspicuous paired whitish strigulae and associated lustrous gray striae. The termen has a thin white line from M2 to the apex that is followed distally by a band of white-tipped, blackish-gray scales from the tornus to the apex. Both the fringe of the forewing and the entire hindwing are grayish brown.	Apart from an historic record from Tryon at the edge of the Blue Ridge, our records for this species come from the Fall-line Sandhills, including one from a sandhill seep and the other from a bean dip.	The host plants are undocumented.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S1S3]
Leptosteges xantholeucalis MONA_number: 5300.00				The hosts are apparently unknown.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S1S2]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Hypomecis gnopharia_umbrosaria complex MONA_number: 6439.70				Host plants are unknown.			GNR SNR [S4S5]
Hypsopygia n. sp. (undescribed Hypsopygia) MONA_number: 5530.10				The host plants are unknown.			GNR SNR [S3S4]
Homosassa ella None MONA_number: 6068.00				The hosts are apparently undocumented.			GNR SNR [S3S4]
Exoteleia pinifoliella complex Pine Needleminer Moth Complex MONA_number: 1840.05	The genus Exoteleia contains a group of micromoths that feed on pine needles. Issues concerning the actual number of Exoteleia species that occur in eastern North America have been particularly challenging for taxonomists to resolve. Hodges (1985) was the first to seriously tackle this issue, and after going through the described species concluded that it was not possible to resolve the question of separation of species in Nearctic Exoteleia. Adamski et al. (2010) barcoded specimens from the eastern North America and found four rather weakly differentiated genetic groups. Genetic distances ranged from 0.04 - 3.03%, and support for the groups was only moderate. They entertained two hypotheses: either that these are four weakly differentiated species, or they represent a single variable species with different haplotypes that reflect the species' phylogeographic history through ancestral polymorphism, host races, or some other biological pattern. They concluded that the available evidence was insufficient to make a convincing argument either way. They also found that all other attributes that have been reported in the literature (i.e., adult coloration, genitalia, larval hosts, immatures, geographic distribution) are either insufficient or not congruent with each other, and do not support species separation. Adamski et al. (2010) suggested that members of the four clusters be referred to as the 'Exoteleia pinifoliella complex’ until additional studies are completed. Here we include records of species that were previously treated as E. chillcotti, E. pinifoliella, E. anomala and perhaps other related eastern North American forms that fall into the Exoteleia pinifoliella complex. These forms currently cannot be readily distinguished by external morphology, genitalia, or DNA markers.			The larvae of this complex are pine specialists. Eiseman (2022) reports the following host species: Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata), Longleaf Pine (P. palustris), Table Mountain Pine (P. pungens), Red Pine (P. resinosa), Pitch Pine (P. rigida), Loblolly Pine (P. taeda), and Virginia Pine (P. virginiana). Since the pinifoliella species complex has yet to be resolved, the actual species for these host records are unknown, and it is possible that they may have different host preferences.			GNR SNR [S3S4]
Exelastis pumilio Dwarf Plume Moth MONA_number: 6099.10				Matthews and Landry (2008) reported that the larvae feed on the flowers, shoots and young leaves of Desmodium species and certain other legumes.			GNR SNR [S2S3]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Euzophera semifuneralis American Plum Borer Moth MONA_number: 5995.00		The forewings are divided into three main areas by the contrasting white and black antemdian and postmedian lines. The antemedian and postmedian areas largely shaded with dull red but in this species, the outer portion of the median area, and often the inner area as well, is black, dusted with white (Forbes, 1923). Euzophera ostricolorella is much larger and the outer portion of the median area is fuscous rather than black and is broadly shaded with strawberry red.		Larvae are reportedly highly polyphagous. Among the hosts listed by Heppner (2007) are Pecan (Carya illinoinensis), American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), ash (Fraxinus), walnut (Juglans), Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Common Apple (Malus domestica), poplar (Populus), cherry (Prunus), American Basswood (Tilia americana).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]
Eucosma grindeliana None MONA_number: 3002.00			Most of our records come from barrier island dunes, coastal fringe sandhills, and sand ridges in the Fall-line Sandhills.	The host plants are apparently unknown.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]
Episimus argutana Sumac Leaftier Moth MONA_number: 2701.00	As currently recognized, Episimus argutana exhibits substantial geographic variation in molecular markers and likely reflects a species complex.			The larvae are polyphagous, with sumacs and Witch-hazel being two of the most commonly used host groups (Forbes, 1923; Heinrich, 1926; Craighead et al., 1950; Schaffner, 1959; Prentice, 1966; Baker, 1972; Godfrey et al., 1987; Robinson et al., 2010, Beadle and Leckie, 2018). The reported hosts include alders (Alnus), Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), hawthorns (Crataegus), Wild Poinsettia (Euphorbia cyathophora), Mexican Fireplant (E. heterophylla), American Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum), Smooth Sumac (R. glabra), Staghorn Sumac (R. typhina), elderberries (Sambucus), goldenrods (Solidago), Atlantic Poison-oak (Toxicodendron pubescens), Poison-ivy (T. radicans), elms (Ulmus), and grapes (Vitis). In North Carolina, larvae have been found in leaf-folds on Witch-hazel.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]
Epiblema minutana None MONA_number: 3172.10	In their monograph and revision of Epiblema, Wright and Gilligan (2023) placed E. minutana in the strenuana group and noted that most of the taxonomic history of this group has centered around whether this species and a closely related form, E. strenuana, are distinct species or not. Various authors have treated them as being both conspecific and heterospecific since the early 1900's. In the most recent study Gilligan et al. (2020a) treated them as separate species based on barcoding, wing coloration, and the shape of the female sterigma.	Epiblema minutana is a primarily brownish-gray to dark gray moth. The interfascial spot near the middle of the inner margin is often absent, but when expressed is pale gray. The ocellus is prominent and has a whitish central field that is flanked laterally by grayish transverse bands and bisected by a longitudinal, slightly curved black dash. The white costal strigulae are usually well expressed and there are no orangish-brown lines between the striae in the subcostal area near the apex (Gilligan et al., 2020a). This species is most easily confused with E. strenuana, which is brown, with most of the costal strigulae being inconspicuous. In addition, the associated gray striae of the latter extend toward the termen and are usually separated by lines of orangish-brown scales. Epiblema minutana also has a whitish face and palps versus a brownish face and palps in E. strenuana. Female genitalia are also useful in separating the two species. Forewing length overlaps substantially between the two species, although on average E. strenuana is slightly larger (mean FWL = 7.1 mm for E. strenuana versus 6.0 mm for E. minutana).	Most of our records are from dry, open habitats, including coastal dunes and xeric Sandhills communities. We have far fewer records from more mesic habitats in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge.	This species appears to specialize on ragweeds (Gilligan et al., 2020a; Wright and Gilligan, 2023; McClay, 1987). Eastern populations use Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia; Wright and Gilligan, 2023), while populations in the western U.S. have been documented using Beach Bur (A. chamissonis) and Perennial Ragweed (A. psilostachya). The latter species occurs in North Carolina in the Sandhills and could potentially serve as a host there. The adults have also been reared in Mexico from field-collected larvae that fed on Weakleaf Bur Ragweed (A. confertiflora; McClay, 1987). They also use Lacy Ragweed (A. tenuifolia) in Israel where this species and E. minutana both have been introduced (Gilligan et al., 2020a).	The adults are attracted to lights and larvae can be found in the stems of ragweeds.		GNR SNR [S3S4]	This is a widespread species that is probably more common than our records suggest due to undercollecting and confusion with closely related species.
Ephestia columbiella None MONA_number: 6020.10				The hosts are apparently undocumented.			GNR SNR [S3S4]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Elasmopalpus lignosella Lesser Cornstalk Borer Moth MONA_number: 5896.00				Larvae are polyphagous, consuming many crop species and grasses. Reported hosts include onion, peanut, oats, beets, cabbage, turnip, peppers, Bermuda Grass, nutsedges, Sweet Potato, rice, beans, tomatoes, wheat, and corn (Gill et al., 2000).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]
Eccritothrix guenterella None MONA_number: 422.00		In this species the head and dorsal tuft are straw yellow, and the antenna brownish. The thorax is dark purple brown and the area above the eyes also often has a patch of dark purple brown scales. The ground color of the forewing is dull yellow and dusted with fuscous scales throughout. There are two dark-brown to blackish spots just before the midwing, with the pair centered on the middle of the wing. A third spot that is usually larger than the basal two is present at about three-fourths the wing length near the center of the wing. The outer margin and fringe are heavily dusted with fuscous scales, but these are not arranged as distinct spots. The hindwing is uniformly lighter colored than the forewing and has a well-developed fringe. Eccritothrix guenterella is similar to Tinea apicimaculella, but the latter differs by having a single dark basal spot instead of two, a dark longitudinal stripe through the forewing, and dark spots along the apical margin (missing in Eccritothrix).	Most of our records are from xeric communities in the Sandhills.	The hosts are apparently undocumented.	The adults are attracted to lights.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]	This is a seemingly uncommon species throughout its wide range. It is most common in North Carolina in xeric communities in the Sandhills.
Diviana eudoreella MONA_number: 5929.00			Our records for this species come from relatively mesic sandhills habitat with a high clay content, including bean dips.			Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S1S2]
Dioryctria clarioralis Blister Coneworm Moth MONA_number: 5863.10				Larvae feed on pines, including Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata), Longleaf Pine (P. palustris), and Loblolly Pine (P. taeda) (Baker, 1972).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]
Dichomeris costarufoella None MONA_number: 2293.00				Larvae have been reared on coneflowers (Rudbeckia spp.) (Hodges, 1986).			GNR SNR [S1S3]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Dichomeris bolize Glaser's Dichomeris MONA_number: 2297.20		Dichomeris bolize has a two-toned appearance with the forewing having a pale-yellow to cream-colored costal band that extends from the wing base to near the apex, and an adjoining broad, toothed, dark-brown band that extends from the base to the outer margin. The pale band gently narrows towards the apex and terminates just before reaching it. The dark band commonly has two small teeth that project into the pale band; one at around two-fifths the wing length, and the second at around two-thirds the wing length. The head is pale-yellow to cream-colored above, while thorax is dark-brown in the middle and pale-yellow to cream-colored on the sides. The first segment of the labial palp is dark gray, while the outer surface of the second segment is dark gray with reddish-brown scales ventrally. The scale tuft on the second segment that is reddish-brown basally and pale yellow towards the apex. The third segment is pale yellow, while the antenna is grayish-brown except for being pale yellow on the base and the first two or three segments of the shaft (Hodges, 1986). Dichomeris bolize can be confused with two other Dichomeris that are found in coastal areas (the dark morph of D. ligulella and D. pelta). Dichomeris bolize and D. pelta have a yellowish to cream-colored, longitudinal band along the costa that lacks the scattered dark flecking that is typically present in D. ligulella. In D. bolize, the light costal band terminates just before reaching the apex, while in D. pelta the band terminates at the apex, as is the case with D. ligulella. Dichomeris pelta also has a small black spot in the yellow band near the base of the forewing that the other two species lack. Both of these species lack the prominent, forward-projecting, scale tufts on the labial palps that are typical of D. ligulella. Worn specimens of all three can be distinguished using genitalia.	The preferred habitats are poorly documented. We have records from a xeric Sandhills community, a maritime forest and a few wetland sites.	The hosts are poorly documented, but there is one record for a larva the was found on a species of Brassica in New York (Hodges, 1986). As of 2025, we do not have any host records for North Carolina.	The adults are attracted to lights.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]
Diasemiodes janassialis Pied Shawl Moth MONA_number: 5172.00		In this species, both the forewing and hindwing have a dark brown to black ground color that is overlain with a series of white stripes. The forewing has a faint and very narrow partial antemedial line that extends from the inner margin to near the middle of the wing, and a much wider and prominent incomplete postmedial line that extends from the costa and narrows towards the middle of the wing. The other marks include a short, sinuous line that extends from the inner margin near the middle of the wing, and two small spots (one discal) just basal to where it terminates. The fringe has alternating zones of white and black, along with an interrupted black basal line. Many specimens also have a terminal line of black spots. The hindwing has a small white basal spot, a thick, white, median line and a more sinuous, thick, postmedian band. The fringe is predominantly white with an interrupted black basal line. The abdomen is black with a thin white band on each segment.	In North Carolina, this species can be found in semi-wooded residential neighborhoods and in natural habitats ranging from bottomland hardwood forests to xeric Long-leaf pine communities.	The hosts are undocumented.	The adults are attracted to lights.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]	This species is found in all three physiographic provinces in a seemingly wide variety of habitats. More information is needed on its feeding ecology and specific habitat requirements before we can accurately access its conservation status.
Crambus praefectellus Common Grass-veneer MONA_number: 5355.00	The genus Crambus includes around 155 species that are distributed globally. Some of the species are significant pests that can cause damage to agricultural crops, lawns and rangelands. This is one of 41 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Pohl and Nanz, 2023), and one of fifteen species that occur in North Carolina.	In this species the head, palps, and thorax are cinereus with a bronze luster (Fernald, 1896). The ground color of the forewing is golden fuscous and is overlain with a silvery white longitudinal stripe that is undivided. The stripe begins at the base of the wing and gradually widens to a point just past the middle of the wing, then gradually shortens to a sharp point just before the subterminal line. It is paralleled by a brown stripe along the costa that is nearly half as wide at the middle of the costa as the silvery stripe. The subterminal line is dark reddish-brown and v-shaped. A short, white dash is present on each side on the subterminal line along the costa. These are followed apically by a triangular reddish-brown mark with a white center and a dark brown terminal line that is most prominent on the costal half on the outer margin. A series of four or five black dots are present in the subterminal area that are separate from the terminal line by a short gap (Forbes, 1923). The fringe is pale-colored, while the hindwing varies from white to cream-colored and has a white fringe. Crambus praefectellus is similar to C. leachellus, but the latter has a much thinner brown stripe along the costa that is less than one third as wide as the adjoining longitudinal white stripe when measured at the middle of the wing.	This species is commonly found in early successional habitats, pasturelands, field edges, roadway corridors and residential neighborhoods that support grasses.	The larvae feed on grasses, including young corn plants, timothy, wheat and pasture grasses where this and other crambids can cause significant losses (e.g., Ainslie, 1922, 1923a, 1924; Webster, 1923). Solis (2008) noted that they also feed on sedges, while Ainslie (1923a) reported that they will readily feed on corn, wheat, rye, oats, timothy, Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and Yellow Foxtail (Setaria glauca) in captivity.	The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found near the bases of grasses and cereal crops. They also can be flushed fairly easily by walking through grassy habitats.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S4S5]	This species is common and widespread in North Carolina and exploits weedy grasses and field crops that abound within the state.
Cosmopterix nitens MONA_number: 1469.00	We suspect that specimens that currently are recognized as C. nitens may be members of a species complex. Members of this group are distinctive in having the yellowish-orange fascia (patch) on the forewing divided longitudinally by a thick black line, but differ in the antennal banding. Cosmopterix nitens as described by Koster (2010) has five terminal white segments that are followed by 14 dark segments, then two white segments. However, specimens in North Carolina, and at certain other localities in the Southeast, often differ in having two white terminal segments that are followed by 7-8 dark segments, then two white segments. The two white segments are sometimes followed by two dark segments and an additional one or two white segments, so that there are 1-3 narrow white bands that are basal to the dark portion with 7-8 segments. There are some other differences, such as the fact that the anal line that extends from the orangish, middle fascia towards the apex is missing or poorly developed in what may be an undescribed species, but well-developed in true C. nitens. Members of this group were first found in North Carolina by Jeff Niznik in 2024 in Orange County and have since been found at a site in Richmond County. Cosmopterix nitens has been reported to specialize on Phragmites, but members of this genus do not occur at sites where we have collected specimens that we are currently recognizing as C. nitens. Until additional taxonomic studies are completed that address variation in this species, we continue to treat all for now as C. nitens.						GNR SNR [S1S3]
Cosmopterix dapifera MONA_number: 1479.00				Host plants are apparently unknown.			GNR SNR [S1S2]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Coleotechnites new species MONA_number: 1828.96	The genus Coleotechnites includes 49 very small species that occur in North America. Most species are specialists on conifers and tend to use on a single genus of host plant. Many of the Coleotechnites species have almost identical genitalia that are not very useful in delineating closely related forms (Freeman, 1960; 1965). Freeman (1960) noted that host plants and the mining characteristics often provide the most reliable way to identify closely related species.	This undescribed form lacks conspicuous scale tufts and has a series of small dark spots on the otherwise cream-colored forewings. Note the four spots at the base of the forewing and posterior margin of the thorax that form a straight row.		Host plants are apparently unknown.			GNR SNR [S2S3]
Coleophora querciella MONA_number: 1261.00							GNR SNR [S1]
Coenochroa bipunctella None MONA_number: 6041.00				The hosts are apparently undocumented.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S1S3]
Chionodes emptor MONA_number: 2072.30							GNR SNR [S1]
Cenopis unicolorana None MONA_number: 3707.10				The hosts are apparently undocumented.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S1S2]