Moths of North Carolina

sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
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Herpetogramma centrostrigalis None MONA_number: 5278.00	Over 20 species of Herpetogramma have been described from North America that are based mostly on external morphology. The most recent treatment consolidates these into only nine species (Solis, 2010) and all nine occur in North Carolina.	In this species the head, thorax and abdomen are concolorous with the forewing and hindwing ground color, which varies from light yellow to light warm brown or beige. The abdomen has a narrow white crossband on the posterior margin of each segment, and the forewing has dark brown marks that are not strongly contrasting with the ground color. The marks include a faint, circular, orbicular spot and a more prominent reniform that resembles a dash. The area between the two lacks a whitish patch that is seen is some of our Herpetogramma species. The costa has dark shading from the base to the postmedial line, and the subterminal area lacks dark shading and is concolorous with the overall ground color. The postmedial projects inward from the costa at around three-fourths the wing length. The section near the costa is lightly bowed inward, then meets an outwardly bulged section with three small, rounded, teeth. From there the line projects basally and forms a shallow loop, with the apex projecting towards the adjoining reniform spot. At the end of the loop, the line runs straight and obliquely inward to meet the inner margin near the middle of the wing. The hindwing is generally similar, but lacks the antemedial line and has a single discal spot. The postmedial lines of both wings is bordered distally by a narrow, diffuse light tan band. The fringe of both wings is a shade lighter than the adjoining ground color, and there is a narrow, dark brown, marginal line that is best developed on the hindwing, and that is sometimes missing on the forewing. Herpetogramma centrostrigalis closely resembles H. theseusalis, but the latter is smaller (forewing length 11-14 mm versus > 14 mm), duskier, and has lines and spots that are darker and more contrasting. The subterminal area is also usually a shade darker, but not strongly so, than the overall ground color, as opposed to being concolorous in H. centrostrigalis. In addition, the line between M2 and the costa is relatively straight as opposed to being curved on H. centrostrigalis. Patania silicalis is also similar, but lacks an orbicular spot. In addition, the area behind the postmedial line is not conspicuously lighter than the overall ground color.	Our records are from habitats that range from xeric to mesic, and often in open habitats such as powerline corridors and open, Longleaf Pine forests in the Sandhills. Several records from Virginia are from pine barrens.	The hosts are undocumented.	The adults are attracted to light.		[GNR] SNR [S1S3]	Apparently very few specimens are known for this species, with the only confirmed ones outside of North Carolina from Virginia, Georgia and Louisiana (Solis, 2010; SCAN records).
Pococera scortealis Lespedeza Webworm Moth MONA_number: 5596.00	The genus Pococera contains a taxonomically challenging group of species with many forms that are difficult to distinguish based on external morphology, coloration, and patterning. Rearing and knowledge of the host species can be helpful in a few instances, and some species can be identified based on external characteristics. However, we find many specimens from North Carolina that are challenging to assign to species with high confidence. The genitalia of species that have been examined from North Carolina are virtually identical and offer little help in sorting out species. DNA barcoding also offers little help since many of the established names show up in multiple BINs that likely reflect large numbers of misidentified specimens. Unfortunately, no one has any idea which of these specimens are accurately identified. A comprehensive study of North American members of the genus is clearly needed that will hopefully better delineate species boundaries and resolve some of the problems that hamper the accurate identification of specimens from within the state and elsewhere. At present, our assignment of specimens to certain species is best treated as provisional.		Our few records come from both natural and semi-natural habitats. Most are from mesic forests but at least a few come from dry forests and one comes from a high elevation grassland.	The larvae feed on species of hoary-pea (Tephrosia) and Lespedeza, including Chinese Bush-clover (L. cuneata) (Allyson, 1977; Robinson et al., 2010). In North Carolina, Tracy Feldman has reared a larva from Chinese Bush-clover.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4
Pococera baptisiella None MONA_number: 5619.00	The genus Pococera contains a taxonomically challenging group of species with many forms that are difficult to distinguish based on external morphology, coloration, and patterning. Rearing and knowledge of the host species can be helpful in a few instances, and some species can be identified based on external characteristics. However, we find many specimens from North Carolina that are challenging to assign to species with high confidence. The genitalia of species that have been examined from North Carolina are virtually identical and offer little help in sorting out species. DNA barcoding also offers little help since many of the established names show up in multiple BINs that likely reflect large numbers of misidentified specimens. Unfortunately, no one has any idea which of these specimens are accurately identified. A comprehensive study of North American members of the genus is clearly needed that will hopefully better delineate species boundaries and resolve some of the problems that hamper the accurate identification of specimens from within the state and elsewhere. At present, our assignment of specimens to certain species is best treated as provisional.			Larvae feed on species of Baptisia (Allyson, 1977) and apparently Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) in the Midwest (BugGuide, MJ Hatfield).
Coptodisca juglandiella None MONA_number: 248.00	This New World genus includes 18 described North American species of small leaf-mining moths, as well as several undescribed species. When mature, the larva cuts a disc of tissue out of the leaf and uses it to form a cocoon. All known species of Coptodisca feed on woody plants, and most are restricted to a single plant genus.	This is one of several native Coptodisca that are essentially identical in appearance and are best identified by rearing and knowledge of the host plants. All have a forewing that is silvery to leaden gray on the basal half and more golden colored on the apical half. The most conspicuous markings are two opposing white triangles with black margins at two thirds the length of the wing, along with a black apical patch. The following detailed description of C. splendoriferella (see species account) is also applicable to C. juglandiella since the two are indistinguishable based on external markings. The head is bronzy, while the antenna is fuscous with a golden tinge. The forewing in leaden gray from the base to the middle, with a shiny luster. The ground color from the middle to the wing tip is golden. There is a broad, nearly straight, metallic, silvery streak at about two-thirds that extends from the costa to the middle of the wing. The streak is widest at the costa and is margined by converging black lines on both sides. Nearly opposite the costal streak is a matching dorsal streak of the same hue that also has converging dark margins. Beyond this there is a dark brown blotch that adjoin the streak, then the dorsal fringe with a blackish basal line. Beyond the large triangular costal streak is a shorter, blackish brown line in the costo-apical cilia that runs nearly perpendicular to the costa. At the wing tip is a conspicuous black, often triangular-shaped, apical spot, with a few metallic, silvery scales in its center. It is bordered by silvery scales of the cilia above and below it. A conspicuous straight black streak extends from the apical spot to the apex of the cilia. The cilia are light gray to light yellowish brown, and the hindwing is leaden gray. Coptodisca juglandiella can be distinguished from C. lucifluella by the absence of the dark suffusion of the forewing basally of the triangular spot. Posteriorly of the spot there is usually a small area with darker suffusion (Bernardo et al., 2015). The mines of both species have been found on Black Walnut, so care needs to be taken to not confuse the two. The mines of C. juglandiella typically begin close to the junction of the midrib and a lateral vein, or along a major lateral vein, and the frass is hidden beneath a small patch of green tissue at the beginning of the mine (Eiseman, 2022). Those of C. lucifluella can be found anywhere on a leaflet, are more elongated, and have the frass widely distributed throughout the mine.	Local populations are found in association with Black Walnut. This species is most commonly found along stream banks, in alluvial floodplains, and near the bases of rich forested slopes with circumneutral soils.	Hosts include Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) and Butternut (J. cinerea) (Eiseman, 2022). In North Carolina, we have only found mines on Black Walnut.	The adults are indistinguishable from several other Coptodisca species based on external morphology and local populations are best documented by finding the mines on walnuts. Coptodisca lucifluella is a species that is native to North America, but has been introduced in Europe where it sometimes uses both introduced and native walnuts. Populations in the eastern US are only known to use native hickories and mines found on Black Walnut are assumed to be those of Coptodisca juglandiella.		GNR S1S3	This species is uncommon in North Carolina where it appears to be at the southern limit of its range.
Paralobesia liriodendrana_magnoliana MONA_number: 2711.20	Paralobesia liriodendrana and P. magnoliana appear to have essentially identical life histories, with the larvae feeding in a partial leaf-fold that is often made along the midrib of either Liriodendron or Magnolia leaves. Because these two species currently cannot be separated based on larval morphology, host plants, or other aspects of the larval life history, we are currently placing submissions of leaf-folds in the 'Paralobesia liriodendrana_magnoliana' account. Paralobesia magnoliana appears to be relatively rare in North Carolina, and the vast majority of these leaf-fold records seen below are likely those of P. liriodendrana.
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Paralobesia liriodendrana Tulip-tree Leaftier Moth MONA_number: 2711.00	Paralobesia is a genus of small tortricid moths, with the majority of species found in the Nearctic Region. Royals et al. (2019) recently completed a much-needed revision of the genus, which now includes 43 species. Only 19 species were described prior to their work, and there appear to be a few remaining undescribed species in North America where there is insufficient material or data to formally describe them (Royals et al., 2019). We currently have 12 described species in North Carolina, as well as one undescribed species (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.). Many are very similar in external coloration and patterning, and are best identified using either genitalia or rearing from host-specific plants.	Paralobesia liriodendrana and P. magnoliana were previously treated as a single species, but are now considered to be two cryptic species that cannot be distinguished based on external coloration and patterning (Royals et al., 2019). The following description applies to both species and is based in part on that of Royals et al. (2019). The vertex is pale reddish-brown and the labial palps pale-brown to reddish-brown. The thorax is mottled with reddish-orange and tan scales, and the posterior crest is mottled with dark-brown and orange scales. The ground color of the forewing is bluish-gray and is most prominent on the basal half of the wing where it is typically separated by a thin, outwardly angulated band at around one-fourth the wing length. The most prominent mark is a large median fascia that extends from the costa to the inner margin, with the dorsal half greatly expanded distally. The median fascia varies from uniformly dark brown to two-toned, with the dorsal half lighter and tending towards reddish-brown. The median fascia is followed by a prominent subterminal band (blotch) that is centered near the middle of the wing, along with several smaller blotches between it and the apical third of the costa. In North Carolina specimens, these tend to be lighter than the median fascia and are margined with light reddish-tan scales. The fringe is light reddish-brown, and the hindwing is uniformly brown to dark brown. The abdomen is grayish-brown above. This species is best confirmed by using genitalia or DNA barcoding given that it is indistinguishable from P. magnoliana. Paralobesia viteana is very similar in overall patterning, but has dark-brown marks on the apical half of the wing, lighter-colored palps, and a bluish-gray fringe (Forbes, 1923) versus the light reddish-brown fringe of P. liriodendrana and P. magnoliana. In addition, the costal remnant of the post-median fascia (the small, dark costal mark between the median fascia and the subterminal band) is reduced in size relative to that of P. liriodendrana complex, which is larger and more rectangular-shaped. Paralobesia liriodendrana and P. magnoliana appear to have essentially identical life histories, with the larvae feeding in a partial leaf-fold that is often made along the midrib of either Liriodendron or Magnolia leaves. Because these two species currently cannot be separated based on larval morphology, host plants, or other aspects of the larval life history, we are currently placing submissions of leaf-folds in the 'Paralobesia liriodendrana_magnoliana' account. Paralobesia magnoliana appears to be relatively rare in North Carolina, and the vast majority of these leaf-fold records are likely those of P. liriodendrana.	Local populations are restricted to mesic hardwood forests, semi-wooded residential communities, and other wooded habitats that have Liriodendron and Magnolia species present.	The larvae feed on members of the Magnoliaceae (Kearfott, 1904, 1907a; Forbes, 1923; Heinrich, 1926; MacKay, 1959; Prentice, 1966; Lam et al., 2011; Beadle & Leckie, 2018; Eiseman, 2022). Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is the most commonly used host, but the larvae are also known to feed on Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) and Sweetbay Magnolia (M. virginiana). In North Carolina, we have records for all three host species.	The adults are attracted to lights and the leaf rolls can be found on the host plants.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S5	This species appears to be common in North Carolina where mesic hardwood forests prevail.
Paralobesia magnoliana None MONA_number: 2711.10	Paralobesia is a genus of small tortricid moths, with the majority of species found in the Nearctic Region. Royals et al. (2019) recently completed a much-needed revision of the genus, which now includes 43 species. Only 19 species were described prior to their work, and there appear to be a few remaining undescribed species in North America where there is insufficient material or data to formally describe them (Royals et al., 2019). We currently have 12 described species in North Carolina, as well as one undescribed species (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.). Many are very similar in external coloration and patterning, and are best identified using either genitalia or rearing from host-specific plants.	Paralobesia liriodendrana and P. magnoliana were previously treated as a single species, but are now considered to be two cryptic species that cannot be distinguished based on external coloration and patterning (Royals et al., 2019). The following description applies to both species and is based in part on that of Royals et al. (2019). The vertex is pale reddish-brown and the labial palps pale-brown to reddish-brown. The thorax is mottled with reddish-orange and tan scales, and the posterior crest is mottled with dark-brown and orange scales. The ground color of the forewing is bluish-gray and is most prominent on the basal half of the wing where it is typically separated by a thin, outwardly angulated band at around one-fourth the wing length. The most prominent mark is a large median fascia that extends from the costa to the inner margin, with the dorsal half greatly expanded distally. The median fascia varies from uniformly dark brown to two-toned, with the dorsal half lighter and tending towards reddish-brown. The median fascia is followed by a prominent subterminal band (blotch) that is centered near the middle of the wing, along with several smaller blotches between it and the apical third of the costa. In North Carolina specimens, these tend to be lighter than the median fascia and are margined with light reddish-tan scales. The fringe is light reddish-brown, and the hindwing is uniformly brown to dark brown. The abdomen is grayish-brown above. This species is best confirmed by using genitalia or DNA barcoding given that it is indistinguishable from P. magnoliana. Paralobesia viteana is also very similar, but has a bluish-gray fringe (Forbes, 1923) versus the light reddish-brown fringe of P. liriodendrana and P. magnoliana. In addition, the costal remnant of the post-median fascia (the small, dark costal mark between the median fascia and the subterminal band) is reduced in size relative to that of P. liriodendrana complex, which is larger and more rectangular-shaped. Paralobesia liriodendrana and P. magnoliana appear to have essentially identical life histories, with the larvae feeding in a partial leaf-fold that is often made along the midrib of either Liriodendron or Magnolia leaves. Because these two species currently cannot be separated based on larval morphology, host plants, or other aspects of the larval life history, we are currently placing submissions of leaf-folds in the 'Paralobesia liriodendrana_magnoliana' account. Paralobesia magnoliana appears to be relatively rare in North Carolina, and the vast majority of these leaf-fold records are likely those of P. liriodendrana.	Local populations are restricted to mesic hardwood forests, semi-wooded residential communities, and other wooded habitats that have Liriodendron and Magnolia species present.	Although host records are sparse, the larvae presumably only feed on members of the Magnoliaceae. The documented hosts include Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) (Eiseman, 2022).	The adults appear to be only weakly attracted to lights.		GNR [S2S3]	The species is probably more common than our records suggest since it was only recently resurrected as a full species and identification requires genitalia.
Anacampsis consonella None MONA_number: 2233.10				Larvae have been reported on Smooth Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) (Harrison and Berenbaum, 2014), and there is a BugGuide record for a larva feeding on Witherod Viburnum (V. cassinoides). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina.			GNR SNR [SNR]
Xanthotype attenuaria None MONA_number: 6744.00			Our records come primarily from mesic and bottomland hardwood forests in the Coastal Plain.	Host plants are apparently unknown (Rindge, 1978). There is a BugGuide record (George Smiley, 2023) of a larva reared from White Panicle Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum) in Texas, but it is not clear how the species was verified.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [S3S4]
Leucania inermis Unarmed Wainscot MONA_number: 10459.00	One of 30 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2015), 16 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Previously included in Subfamily Hadeninae but moved to the much expanded Noctuinae by Lafontaine and Schmidt. They also included it in Tribe Leucaniini along with Mythimna. Additionally, Forbes (1936) grouped inermis with L. pseudargyria, ursula, calidior -- all found in North Carolina -- and the Floridian pilipalpis in the Pseudargyria Complex.	A large Wainscot. The forewings are a a pale luteous, with darker gray areas located between the orbicular and reniform, before the orbicular, and in a triangular area located in the lower half of the wing apex. Both the orbicular and reniform spots are paler cream, with a darker spot in lower half of the reniform. The antemedian line is fairly inconspicuous but the postmedian is somewhat more strongly defined, following a strongly dentate course and sometimes appearing to form a double line, with dark points on the veins alternating with somewhat weaker crescents located more medially in the interspaces. Hindwings are dark fuscous. Other members of the Pseudargyria Complex have a similar pattern, but differ somewhat in ground color and size of the dark spot in the reniform. The structural characters described below -- particularly the male genitalia -- provide a more certain way to identify these species.	Our records come from a wide range of habitats, ranging from dune grasslands to savannas to woodlands and forests. Both wet and dry habitats are included.	Host plants are poorly documented, but members of this genus feed on graminoids (Wagner et al., 2011).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S3S4]
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Albuna fraxini Virginia Creeper Clearwing MONA_number: 2532.00	North America has 136 or more species in the family Sesiidae, with 37 species found in North Carolina. Many being similar in appearance to one another. Some are significant pests of commercial crops, and almost all are mimics of wasps and hornets.	This is a distinctive species, with the males having prominent black tufts on the forelegs, a reddish discal bar that is preceded by a prominent black blotch, and a conspicuous, flared anal tuft. Females have a more robust body and a simple antenna that is more boldly contrasting with black and yellow. The labial palps are entirely black and the anal tuft is short and blunt. The forewing is almost entirely opaque and the discal mark more conspicuously red than in the male. The following detailed description of the male is based primarily on that of Engelhardt (1946). The bipectinate antenna is pale yellow to whitish and shaded with black on the basal half and tip. The labial palp is pale yellow at the base and black along the sides and toward the tip. The head is black, and the collar black with a whitish patch at the sides. The thorax is black, with the tegulae violaceous, and with a narrow pale-yellow strip at the sides that extends from the wing base to the collar. The metathorax is fringed with white at the sides and below, while the abdomen is entirely black. The anal tuft is black and broadly fan-shaped. The forewing is hyaline except for heavy blackish scaling on the terminal fourth, along the veins and margins, and as an oval, black spot just anterior to the orangish or reddish discal spot. The hindwing is mostly hyaline with brownish-black in a narrow band along the wing margins, on the discal spot, and along the veins and fringe.	Local populations are found where Virginia Creeper is present, and typically in mesic forests or forest edge habitats.	Larvae are borers in Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) (Eichlin and Duckworth, 1988).	The adults are diurnally active and are often found resting on vegetation during the day or nectaring on wildflowers. They are not attracted to lights.		GNR [S1S2]	This species appears to be very rare within the state and disjunct from the main range farther north.
Helcystogramma melantherella None MONA_number: 2270.00				Larvae are leaf-folders of composites, including Calyptocarpus, Cynara, Melanthera, and Xanthium; also on a legume, Arachis (Hodges, 1986). In North Carolina as of 2025, we have a feeding record for Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Giant Ragweed (A. trifida).
Eucosma giganteana Giant Eucosma MONA_number: 3098.00		This species is easily recognized by its unique forewing color pattern. The following is based in part on the original description by Riley (1881). The head, palps and thorax are white and the antenna reddish brown. The ground of the forewing is white and is overlain with a large brown patch that cover much of the apical third of the wing except for the subcostal region. The patch enclosing the anal angle and a broad region surrounding the ocellus, which has two rows of blackish spots that are often masked by the dark ground color that is in between. The basal third of the wing has varying levels of pale fuscous to grayish mottling that is concentrated on the dorsal half, and the costal has a series of widely spaced dark spots along the entire length. The hindwing is brown with a whitish fringe, and the abdomen has alternating whitish and brown bands.		The larvae are specialists on Silphium species, where they feed on the rhizomes or flower heads (Johnson et al., 2019; Vilela et al., 2020). The known hosts include Rosenweed (S. integrifolium), Common Cup-plant (S. perfoliatum) , Slender Rosinweed (S. radula var. gracile), and Prairie Dock (S. terebinthinaceum). Johnson et al. (2019) noted that the larva do not bore into roots even though they have been widely reported to do so (e.g., Forbes 1923; Heinrich 1923; Gilligan et al. 2008). They are stem feeders that utilize the stout rhizomes rather than the thinner roots.	The adults are attracted to lights and can be found on the undersides of leaves during the mating season.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SH	This species was last documented in North Carolina in 1904 near Tryon.
Aethes triassumenta None MONA_number: 3761.50	Specimens in North Carolina include individuals that conform to the original description of material from Florida, as well as a more boldly-marked form that has been found during the summer months. Both forms have similar genitalia and may simply reflect two seasonal color morphs of Aethes triassumenta. It is also possibly that they constitute two species.			Larval host plants appear to be unknown.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Schinia grandimedia False Boneset Flower Moth MONA_number: 11148.10			Based on the distribution of its host plant, this species should be found in a number of dry-xeric woodlands, glades, and barrens. As of 2022, one of our two site records comes from a "bean dip" in the Sandhills: a relatively mesic Longleaf Pine flatwoods that is rich in legumes and other forbs. The second is also from the Sandhills and from an old farm house that is surrounded by early successional habitat.	Larvae have been recorded on False Boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides) (Wagner et al., 2011). In the Sandhills of North Carolina, this species is associated with "Longleaf Pine--Wiregrass uplands and flats in loamy sand soils (LeGrand et al., 2025)			GNR SNR [S1S2]	Although only recently discovered in North Carolina, it possibly has a resident population in the Fall-line Sandhills and is not simply a long-distance migrant from the West.
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Etiella zinckenella Gold-banded Etiella MONA_number: 5744.00			Our one record comes from a site located within a large area of natural sandhills habitat. Although some of the recorded host plants for this species occur in that area, it is not clear whether this species is solely a migrant in our area or associated primarily with croplands.	Larvae feed on a wide variety of legumes, including milkvetch (Astragalus), wild indigo (Baptisia), rattlebox (Crotalaria), Soybean (Glycine max), peas (Lathyrus), lupine (Lupinus), bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus), beans (Phaseolus), locust (Robinia), hoary-pea (Tephrosia), vetch (Vicia), and cowpea (Vigna) (Robinson et al., 2010); a number of other families of plants are also used to some extent.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR	This is an Old World species that is exotic in North America
Anania extricalis None MONA_number: 4956.00	Munroe (1976) recognized two subspecies in this wide-ranging species. The nominate subspecies (Anania e. extricalis) occurs in North Carolina and is restricted to the eastern U.S.	The nominate subspecies that occurs in North Carolina is characterized by relatively dense scaling and a powdery, fulvous-brown ground color on the forewing (Munroe, 1976). The antemedial line is weakly dentate and the postmedial sharply so (Forbes, 1923). The postmedial line is broadly waved as it extends outward from the inner margin, then bows outward and is strongly dentate on the costal two-thirds of the wing. The subterminal line is absent, and the shade beyond the postmedial line is smooth rather than dentate. The orbicular is an obscure dot and the discocellular is a vague lunule. Framinghamia helvalis is similar in appearance but has a pale orbicular surrounded by a thick circular shade rather than a solid point. In addition, the discocellular bar is composed of a double bar rather than a single lunule.	Our records all come from riparian habitats.	The larvae are leafrollers on alders (Forbes, 1923). Munroe (1976) also reported that the larvae use Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) and Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), presumably in the northern part of the range where the host plants occur. As of 2025, the only host records that we have for North Carolina are for Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata).	The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found on leaf folds on alders.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S2S4
Manduca sexta Carolina Sphinx MONA_number: 7775.00	A large Neotropical genus (63 species) of which 10 occur in the United States and 4 in North Carolina. This is our most well-known species.	A large, grayish-brown sphinx moth. Manduca sexta is very similar and often confused with M. quinquemaculatus which is grayer but similar in size and feeds on many of the same plants. M. sexta is browner and on the hindwing there is a median thick black line formed by the merger of two lines. In M. quinquemaculatus these two black lines are separate for their entire length with gray between them. Additionally, M. sexta has a series of small white dots at the base of the forewing which are absent in M. quinquemaculatus. The overall pattern is smudged in M. sexta but distinct, crisp and quite elegant in M. quinquemaculatus.	This species occurs in open agricultural areas throughout the state. The larvae are known as tobacco hornworms and are a common pest of tomatoes in home gardens and tobacco in agricultural fields.	Larvae feed on most members of the Solanaceae but most often on tobacco and tomato; other reported hosts include ground-cherry (Physalis) and Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) (Wagner, 2005). In North Carolina, most of our records are from garden tomatoes, but we also have records from tobacco, garden peppers, Devil's-trumpet (Datura innoxia), and eggplant.	Adults are active from dusk onward at flowers and are attracted to strong lights, such as mercury-vapor lamps, but come only in small numbers to 15 watt UV lights. They do not come to baits.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S5]	Found primarily in agricultural areas and is not of conservation concern in North Carolina
Palpita magniferalis Splendid Palpita MONA_number: 5226.00	One of twelve species in this genus recorded in North America north of Mexico (Scholtens and Solis, 2015). Munroe (1952) placed magniferalis in his Illibalis Species Group, which in North Carolina also includes arsaltealis, illibalis, freemanalis, and aenescentalis.	The following description is based in part on that on Munroe (1952). The labial palp is fuscous and a little longer than the eye, while the frons is dark gray with a white lateral stripe adjacent to the eye. The antenna is dark gray and the vertex pale gray. The thorax and abdomen are pale gray and irregularly marked with fuscous or black shading. The legs are grayish white, and all tibiae and tarsi are banded with fuscous. The forewing has a silvery gray to dull whitish ground color that is mostly masked by brown to blackish scales. In North Carolina specimens, patches of black scales or dense black shading are present on the basal third of the wing, and as a large, diffuse band beyond the cell and near the middle of the wing. The band commonly extends from the costa to the inner margin and is followed by a broad zone of light brown dusting on the apical third. The orbicular and reniform spots are black, but often obscured by the black shading. The subterminal area often has diffuse blackish spotting that is followed by a thin, black terminal line. The fringe is dusky and often weakly checkered with blackish marks. The hindwing is translucent and varies from pale gray to light tan or brown. It has a weak fuscous discocellular line and varying amounts of diffuse speckling or spotting over most of the wing. The terminal line is thin and black, while the fringe is dusky and often weakly checkered with blackish marks. Individuals of this species exhibit substantial variation in the degree of expression of the darker marks and shading, so expect deviations from the general description above. Munroe (1952) noted that females tend to have more restricted dark markings than the males.	Our records come from both upland and bottomland deciduous forests that correspond to its association with using both White and Green Ash. Both natural stands are used, as are wooded residential neighborhoods.	The larvae feed on ash species (Munroe, 1952, Prentice, 1966; Heppner, 2007; Solis, 2008; Robinson et al., 2010). The reported host include American Ash (Fraxinus americanus), Black Ash (F. nigra) and Green Ash (F. pennsylvanica). A North Carolina record from the Dismal Swamp State Park (NRID, accessed 2022-08-07) indicates it probably uses Carolina Ash (F. caroliniana), since that is the only species of Fraxinus recorded at that site. Additionally, an adult was reared from a larva that was on Swamp Privet (Forestiera acuminata) in Texas (George Smiley, BugGuide, accessed 2022-08-7). That species only reaches as far north as South Carolina. It is not known if P. magniferalis can feed on introduced species of Ligustrum that are also in the Oleaceae.	The adults come well to blacklights.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S4]	Wagner and Todd (2016) list this species as having a High Endangerment Risk due to the impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer. Recent (2022) records from a bottomland that has been hard-hit by the Emerald Ash Borer indicate that P. magniferalis may be able to use Ash saplings, which are still common; Chinese privet, however, is also present and its use as a larval food plant needs to be determined.
Walshia new species nr. elegans MONA_number: 1614.10
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Datana robusta Robust Datana MONA_number: 7909.00	One of 16 species in this genus, all but one of which occurs in North America north of Mexico (Miller et al., 2018). Nine have been recorded in North Carolina.	A medium large Prominent. The ground color and pattern of the forewing is buff-yellow to clay color with a pattern of lines and spots similar to that of D. perspicua (Packard, 1895). The disk of the thorax is typically pale buff and is concolorous with the rest of the thorax, whereas it is usually a darker brown in perspicua. The hindwings are paler buff than the forewings and have a darker shade towards the outer margin, whereas they are usually uniformly colored in perspicua.	Most of our records come from xeric woodlands in the Fall-line Sandhills. Two other sites are located in the Outer Coastal Plain, both with sand ridge woodlands located in the vicinity.	Host plants are poorly documented. Heppner (2007) lists sumac, but this requires confirmation.	Comes at least to some extent to blacklights	Listed as Significantly Rare by the Natural Heritage Program. That designation, however, does not confer any legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G2G4 S1S2	This is a poorly known, rare to uncommon species throughout its range (NatureServe Explorer, 2016). In North Carolina, this species has been recorded only within Camp Lejeune, where it appears to be resident: it has been recorded in two different months and at three different locations. More needs to be learned about its host plants, habitat associations, and other details of its life history before its conservation needs can be identified.
Cryptothelea gloverii Glover's Bagworm Moth MONA_number: 442.00	The family Psychidae contains as many as 1,350 species that are found worldwide. The females of many species are flightless, and the larvae of all species live in constructed cases or bags, hence the name bagworms. The genus Cryptothelea contains 28 species that are found worldwide, primarily in temperate and subtropical regions. There are two species in North America.	The male has broad, rounded wings and pectinate antennae that have 22-24 segments. The head, thorax, abdomen and wings are all uniformly dark to brownish fuscous (Davis, 1964). The pectinations on the antenna are rather stout and blunt. They have scattered hairs that are slightly appressed, short, and approximately equal in length to the diameter of the pectinations from which they arise. The discal scales are mostly elongate and narrowly oblanceolate with sharply acute apices. The wingless females are whitish and live in cases that are 14-18 mm long and 5-6 mm wide. They are composed of silk and are either bare, or ornamented with fragments of insect scales, bark, fruit rinds, leaves, and other debris. Davis (1964) noted that the short, somewhat appressed, antennal sensory hairs of C. gloverii cause the antenna to have a somewhat "stubby" appearance that is apparently a unique feature among New World psychids. Cryptothelea nigrita is a similar species and can be separated by the antennal pectinations which have sensory hairs that are erect and 1.5-2X the diameter of the pectinations on which they are borne. This is a more southern form that has yet to be discovered in North Carolina.		The larvae feed on scale insects (Villanueva et al., 2005) as well as a wide variety of plant taxa. The known plant genera that serve as hosts include Acacia, Achillea, Carya, Celtis, Citrus, Crataegus, Diospyros (include Diospyros virginiana), Erythrina, Parkinsonia, Persea, Prosopis, Psidium, Quercus, Rosa, Spondias and several other genera (Davis, 1964, Heppner, 2003).	The adults occasionally visit lights, and the larvae and cases can be found on the host species.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SU	We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species to assess its conservation status.
Hypena madefactalis Gray-edged Snout MONA_number: 8447.00	One of 29 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010). Fifteen species have been recorded in North Carolina.		North Carolina records come from a variety of rich hardwood forest, ranging from mesic, high elevation stands, cove forests, and Amphibolite ridges in the Mountains and alluvial and mafic forests in the Piedmont. Coastal Plain sites may all be associated with planted walnuts.	Larvae feed primarily on Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), but have also been reported from Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) (Wagner et al., 2011). As of 2024, we have records for both Black Walnut and an unknown hickory species. J.B. Sullivan also recorded a larva on Sweet Birch (Betula lenta).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]
Eteobalea sexnotella None MONA_number: 1508.00	Eteobalea is a holarctic genus with approximately 50 species. None are known to occur in the Neotropical Region, and four species occur in North America north of Mexico (Hodges, 1978). Some authorities recognize two genera (Stagmatophora and Eteobalea), but Hodges (1978) synonymized the two because he could not find a unique set of characters to distinguish between them.	This is a distinctive species with a white head, a labial palp with two annuli, and a dark forewing with white and metallic-silvery markings. The following is based on the descriptions by Chambers (1878) and Walsingham (1907). The head is white, and the thorax dark brown to blackish. The antenna is dark brown, with a small white spot at the end of the basal joint. The labial palp is creamy white, with two brownish annuli on the terminal joint. The ground color of the forewing is dark brown to blackish, with three shining white markings on the costal margin and two metallic silver spots near the dorsal margin. At the basal one-fifth of the wing, there is an oblique white costal streak that crosses the fold and typically terminates before reaching the inner margin. A similar, but shorter streak is at one-half that is sometimes broken into two spots. A large white spot is present on the costa at about four-fifths, and a second smaller spot is present at the apex. Just below the dorsal margin there are two metallic silvery spots. The first is at about one-half the wing length and just anterior to the second costal streak, while the second is at about three-fourths. The hindwing and cilia on both wings are light brownish gray, while the abdomen is brownish fuscous, with whitish marks along the sides. The legs are whitish and banded with dark brown. This species is similar to E. wyattella, but the occiput is uniformly shining white, the base of the forewing is dark brown, and the hindwing and cilia are pale gray. In E. wyattella, the posterior margin of the occiput is dark brown, the base of the forewing is white, and the hindwing and cilia are dark gray.	This species is a specialist on bluecurls and presumably uses both Forked Bluecurls and Dune Bluecurls in North Carolina. These species prefer somewhat dry, open areas where the seeds can successfully germinate. Forked Bluecurls can be found in old fields, the edges of woodlands, under powerline clearings, on dunes, and in similar open habitats, while Dune Bluecurls is a dune specialist. We have records for E. sexnotella from dune and spoil sites at the coast, and from sandy, dry habitats in the Sandhills.	Eteobalea sexnotella is the only species of moth that specializes on bluecurls and is unique in producing stem galls on these hosts. The known hosts include Forked Bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum), Florida Scrub Bluecurls (T. suffrutescens; Hodges, 1978), and the recently described Dune Bluecurls (T. nesophilum). As of 2025, we have a single host record for Dune Bluecurls.	The adults are attracted to lights. The galls are easy to spot on bluecurls, and more information is needed on the hosts, larval ecology, and life history.		GNR [S2S3]	As of 2024, we have only a few site records for the state.
Ostrinia penitalis American Lotus Borer Moth MONA_number: 4946.00	This genus was recently revised by Yang et al. (2021), with fifteen species now described worldwide. Four species occur in North America and all occur in North Carolina. As described by Yang et al. (2021), Ostrinia penitalis is included in their Clade II, the Penitalis Species Group.	This is a medium-small moth with a pale yellow to yellowish-brown ground color on the forewing. The wing markings and dusting are reddish brown, and both the antemedian and postmedian lines are dentate. The postmedial line extends inward from the inner margin a short distance before bluntly projecting outwards as a large tooth, then projecting inward to form a V-shape. From there, it continues to the costa as an outwardly bowed line with smaller teeth. The subterminal line consists of a diffuse dentate or zig-zag line that is sometimes reduced to a diffuse shaded region. The reniform is represented as a dark line or bar that runs nearly perpendicular to the costa; it is often followed by dark shading. The hindwing is much paler and has a short discal bar or spot in the middle of the wing that is followed by an even but dentate postmedial line that runs fairly straight across the wing, at least as far as the cell. A similarly even, dentate subterminal line is also present. Ostrinia obumbratalis is similar in size and pattern but has brownish rather than reddish markings. In addition, the short discal bar or spot in the middle of the wing that is present in O. penitalis is missing (Scholtens, 2017). Ostrinia nubilalis is also similar, but is brighter yellow and the face has two clear white lines on the sides of the front instead of straw yellow found in the other species (Forbes, 1923). Crocidophora pustuliferalis is also similar to Ostrinia penitalis, but the latter has a well-developed antemedial line and lacks a line of black dots on the termen. The males also lack a fovea.	Our records include several sites where ponds, canals, or sluggish waters are known to be present.	American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) appears to be the primary host. Ostrinia obumbratalis is a closely related species that feeds on smartweeds and other plants. It was synonymized with O. penitalis in the past (the two are now treated as separate species), and this has been a source of confusion with regard to the actual hosts that are used by O. penitalis.	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 S3S4
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Stigmella intermedia None MONA_number: 72.00	Members of the genus Stigmella are a group of small leaf-mining moths that typically create linear mines, although a few species form linear-blotch or blotch mines. Newton and Wilkinson (1982) recognized 51 species in their revision on the North American fauna, and new discoveries have since raised the total to around 57 species. Almost all species are specialists and rarely use more than one genus of host plants. Host-specificity, mine characteristics, and genitalic differences are helpful in recognizing closely related forms that are externally similar.	The following description of the adults is based on Braun (1917) and Wilkinson and Scoble (1979). The palps are off-white and lustrous, and the antennae are slate gray and lustrous. The head and tuft are very dark brown to black, and the eye-caps are silvery white. The thorax is gray with silver and bronzy reflections. The ground color of the forewings is brownish black, and there are two white fasciae that shine silvery to light golden. The first fascia is sub-basal and often inconspicuous unless it is illuminated with the appropriate angle of light. The second is at about two-thirds the wing length and is conspicuous. The cilia is gray. The legs are gray and lustrous, and pale at the tarsi. This species is very closely related to S. rhofoliella, but has two fasciae on the forewing rather than a single fascia. The dark tuft will distinguish S. intermedia from S. prunifoliella, which has an orangish tuft.	This species is a specialist on sumacs (Rhus spp.), which are often found in rather open, sunny, habitats such as fencerows, roadsides, and recently abandoned fields. Sumacs also occur in natural habitats such as open woods, maritime forests, and rock outcrop communities.	Larvae feed on sumacs (Rhus spp.), including Fragrant Sumac (R. aromatica), Winged Sumac (R. copallinum), Smooth Sumac (R. glabra), and Staghorn Sumac (R. typhina). As of 2025, our North Carolina records are from Fragrant Sumac, Winged Sumac and Smooth Sumac, with Winged Sumac being the most commonly used host. We also have a recent record of the larvae using Michaux's Sumac (R. michauxii).	The adults appear to rarely visit lights and almost all records are based on either leaf mines, or adults that were reared from mines.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4	This species may be more common than our small number of records suggest because of minimal collecting effort within the state.
Argyrotaenia ivana Ivana Leafroller Moth MONA_number: 3627.00	The genus Argyrotaenia contains approximately 100 described species, with most occurring in Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Thirty-six species are currently recognized in North America.	This species is sexually dimorphic and poorly described, with the original description based on a single male in the U.S. National Museum by Fernald (1901). In the male, the head, thorax, and ground color of the forewing are a dingy pale brown. The ground color of the forewing is overlain with several darker marks, the first being an often irregularly shaped dark costal blotch near the base of the wing that in some instances can extend to the middle of the wing or beyond. The most conspicuous mark is a wide, oblique, dark band at about one-third that extends about two-thirds of the way across the wing. This is followed by a dark subapical, triangular, costal patch at about three-fourths. A smaller dark irregular spot is usually present just beyond the tip of the costal patch and near the middle of the wing. The fringe is concolorous with the ground color of the wing, and the hindwing varies from light gray to light brown. The female is generally similar, but lacks both the basal blotch and the dark irregular spot that is found beyond the tip of the triangular costal patch.	Over its range, this species occurs in sandy, xeric sites to coastal wetlands. Our small number of records all come from sites within or close to brackish marshes.	Bigleaf Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens) is thought to be an important natural host, and fits with the tidewater locations where this species has been found in North Carolina. However, Heppner (2003) and Heppner and Habeck (1976) reported numerous other taxa, most of which are crop species or are otherwise not native in our region. These include Celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce), a columbine (Aquilegia sp.), an Asparagus sp., a hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), grapefruit (Citrus paradiisi), oranges (C. sinensis), a geranium (Geranium sp.), Fragrant Rabbit-tobacco (Gnaphalium obtusifolium), Parrot-feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), Dense-flower Smartweed (Persicaria densiflora), Dotted Smartweed (P. punctata), a rose (Rosa sp.), a willow (Salix sp.), and a goldenrod (Solidago sp.). The larvae can become pests in citrus groves in Florida where they sometimes disfigure the fruits (Bullock et al., 1997).	We have only a few records and all are based on adults that were attracted to lights. Detailed information is needed on host use in North Carolina and elsewhere.		GNR S2S3	This species appears to be uncommon to rare in North Carolina and generally restricted to the tidewater region of the state.
Papaipema astuta Yellow Stoneroot Borer Moth MONA_number: 9477.00	One of 44 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), 30 of which have been recorded in North Carolina	A medium-large Papaipema. The median area of forewing is straw yellow, heavily dusted with brown; the basal and outer third of the wing contrastingly fuscous. The spot ring around the reniform is usually yellow and the two spots on the inner side more angulate than in similar species. The hindwings are pale brown with a distinctive yellowish shading at the base (Forbes, 1954; Schweitzer et al., 2011).	Our records come from Rich Cove Forests with populations of Collinsonia canadensis.	Larvae are monophagous, feeding solely on Canada Horsebalm (Collinsonia canadensis) (Forbes, 1954; Schweitzer et al., 2011), which has been confirmed as the host in North Carolina.	Comes at least to some extent to blacklights but not to bait or flowers. Larvae can be searched for by looking for whitish frass ejected from a hole on the side of a stem (Wagner et al., 2011). However, both Papaipema duplicatus and P. cataphracta also feed on Collinsonia, so the presence of frass alone does not provide enough evidence to determine the presence of this species.	Listed as Significantly Rare by the Natural Heritage Program. That designation, however, does not confer any legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G3? S1S2	This species is regarded as globally rare (NatureServe Explorer, 2016) even though its host plant is fairly widespread; it has also apparently disappeared from large areas of its former range (Schweitzer et al., 2011). Deer overbrowsing or invasion of mesic forests by exotic invasive plants may be reducing the area of suitable habitat (Schweitzer et al., 2011), but the exact reason for the apparent decline of this species has yet to be confirmed.
Papaipema nelita Coneflower Borer Moth MONA_number: 9502.00	One of 44 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), 30 of which have been recorded in North Carolina		Our records come from both montane wet meadows and high elevation herbaceous fields.	Larvae feed on coneflowers (Rudbeckia), including Cutleaf Coneflower (R. laciniata), as wells as Burdock (Arctium) (Wagner et al., 2011).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [S2S4]
Scardiella approximatella Banded Scardiella MONA_number: 308.00	Scardiella is a monotypic genus with a single known species from North America.	The following description is based primarily on those of Dietz (1905) and Robinson (1986). The head is cream-colored and slightly tinged with brown. The labial palp is long, curved, ascending, and pale yellowish. The second joint is flecked with brown on the outer surface, with a brown brush beneath. The third joint is as long as the second and is tinged with brown on the outer surface of its basal half. The antenna is grayish brown with darker annulations. The thorax is cream-colored and the patagia brownish anteriorly. The forewing has a yellowish-white ground color with scattered, pale orangish brown scales. The most prominent mark is a dark brown fascia at about one-half the wing length that tends to be more irregular on the basal side. An extension from the basal side usually joins an oblique fascia that extends from near the base of the costa posteriorly, then ends before reaching the inner margin. The final conspicuous mark is a subterminal dark streak that run from the costa just before the apex, then curves anteriorly before terminating near the middle of the wing. A small dark spot is usually present on the costa immediate anterior to this streak. The cilia is pale, with a distinct line near the base. There is another wider but less clearly defined line near the outer edge of the forewing. These lines are interrupted by light bars that tend to produce a checkered pattern. The hindwing is as wide as the forewing, pale gray, and slightly tinged with fuscous. The cilia are slightly lighter, with a pale basal and a sub-basal line. The legs are buff cream, with the foreleg and mid-leg strongly marked with dark brown above. The tarsal joints of the anterior and middle pair are dark brown with pale bands at the apex. The hindleg is similar but lighter colored.	The required habitats are undocumented. This species is a fungivore that appears to feed in rotting logs or dead trees. It is likely associated with habitats with hardwood trees. We have records from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods and from a natural forested site in the mountains.	This species belongs to a group of tineids (Scardiinae) whose members are all believed to be fungal specialists. The larvae feed in either the fruiting bodies of bracket fungi, or in the wood of dead or moribound trees that have been permeated with the fungal hyphae (Robinson, 1986). Forbes (1923) reported that larvae were found in a rotten sycamore log where they were presumably feeding on fungal hyphae.	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 SU	We have only eight site records as of 2020, which suggests that this species is either uncommon or is not strongly attracted to lights. Additional information on its distribution and abundance is needed before we can assess its conservation status.
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Aethes razowskii Razowski's Aethes MONA_number: 3759.30				Host plants appear to be unknown.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Herpetogramma sphingealis None MONA_number: 5279.10	Over 20 species of Herpetogramma have been described from North America that are based mostly on external morphology. The most recent treatment consolidates these into only nine species (Solis, 2010) and all nine occur in North Carolina.	Among the eastern North American Herpetogramma, this is a relatively large species with the wingspan around 31–37 mm (Handfield and Handfield, 2011). The forewing is mostly uniformly dark-brown and the transverse lines that are usually conspicuous on other Herpetogramma are obscure. The upperside of the head, thorax, and abdomen are concolorous with the brown forewings. The most conspicuous marks are small, dark orbicular and reniform spots that are separated by a cream-colored rectangular patch, and a white patch on the fringe at the anal angle that contrast with the otherwise brown fringe. A dark terminal line is present at the base of fringe. The hind wing is dark brown with a dark discal spot and concolorous with the forewing. The fringe is dark brown except for a zone of white scales that extends from the anal angle to about one-fourth the length of the fringe.	This species uses ferns as hosts, and typically uses medium to large species that are found in mesic forested settings.	The larvae and associated fern balls are commonly found on Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) and occasionally on wood ferns (Dryopteris spp.). As of 2023, we have reared adults from both the Christmas Fern and Intermediate Wood-fern (Dryopteris intermedia), although Christmas Fern appears to be the most commonly used host (Handfield and Handfield, 2011).	The adults are attracted to lights and can be reared from the fern balls on Christmas Ferns and wood ferns. The presence of fern balls does not provide conclusive evidence of this species since H. theseusalis also produces similar fern balls. Rearing is recommended for fern ball records.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S4S5	Populations are associated with mesic hardwood forests and many local populations have undoubtedly been lost historically due to development, deforestation, and the conversion of hardwoods to commercial pine stands.
Aglossa costiferalis Calico Pyralid MONA_number: 5511.00			Our records come from cove forests and northern hardwoods.	Hosts appear to be unknown.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S2S3
Canarsia ulmiarrosorella Elm Leaftier Moth MONA_number: 5926.00		The ground color of the forewings is fuscous gray with white dusting (Forbes, 1923); our specimens are frequently reddish fuscous before the antermedian line, with the vertex and thorax the same color. The lines are black and double with a white filling; both are wavy but the postmedian is more irregular. The outer line of the antemedian is black and contrasting and is often followed by a patch of white a the inner margin. The discal bar is black and there is a series of fine, black, separate terminal dots.	Our records come mainly from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods but usually near mesic slopes or bottomland forests.	Larvae are leaf-tiers of elms (Forbes, 1923; Craighead et al., 1950; Schaffner, 1959; Baker, 1972; Heppner, 2007). The reported hosts include American Elm (Ulmus americana), Slippery Elm (U. rubra), and Rock Elm (U. thomasii). Forbes (1923) and Heppner (2007) reported this species to use hickories, but this needs additional verification. We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4
Halysidota tessellaris Banded Tussock Moth MONA_number: 8203.00	One of five species in this genus that occur in North America (Lafontaine and Schimdt, 20010), three of which have been recorded in North Carolina	Adults of all three of our species of Halysidota are highly similar to one another, possessing long, pointed wings that are translucent yellow and marked with bands of slightly darker, offset cells forming a tessellated pattern. The markings of tessellaris and harrisii are virtually identical and they cannot be identified based on photographs alone (in some cases, we assume an individual is tessellaris if found at a site far from any Sycamores).	With the exception of peatlands, where we have only a single record, H. tessellaris uses virtually all habitats found in the state, from maritime scrub and forests on the barrier islands, to Longleaf Pine habitats, bottomland hardwoods, to xeric sandhills, barrens and upland ridges and summits.	The larvae are polyphagous on woody shrubs and trees (Wagner, 2005). In North Carolina, they have been recorded feeding on Box-elder (Acer negundo), Sweet Birch (Betula lenta), hickory (Carya), Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli), American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), ash (Fraxinus), Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), Live Oak (Quercus virginiana), Black Willow (Salix nigra), and Winged Elm (Ulmus alata), and likely use many other hosts. The adults commonly visit milkweeds at night and may be important pollinators. Frost (1965) examined 1,911 specimens that were captured in light traps and found that 290 specimens had milkweed pollinia attached to them.	Comes well to blacklights, with over 30 individuals collected in single traps. Adults feed on flowers beginning at dusk (Forbes, 1960) and for the first few hours after dark, but we have only one record from bait.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 SNR [S5]	Ubiquitous, abundant, and widespread across the entire state, this is one of our most secure species
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Antepione thisoaria Variable Antepione MONA_number: 6987.00	Eight species have been described in the genus, which ranges from Canada south at least to Costa Rica. Most species are found in our western states but one ranges from Costa Rica to North Carolina and northward.	Sexes are highly variable, with different seasonal and sexual forms. Members of the spring brood are typically grayish brown or all pale, whereas in the summer brood, individuals are marked with bright yellow (Forbes, 1948). Males usually have a brown shade past the postmedian line, which is usually distinct; in the summer brood, males are typically two-toned. Females usually are more concolorous, with a less distinct postmedian but with one or two dark spots along that line at the inner margin (Forbes, 1948). Most forms have a distinct apical patch, but that is usually much more contrasting in the females.	Our records come from a variety of montane habitats, including monadnock forests in the Piedmont, and both dry ridges -- including rock outcrops -- and mesic forests in the Mountains. The elevational range is also quite large, ranging from below 2,000 feet at Crowders Mountain in the Piedmont to over 5,000 feet in the Great Smokies, Great Balsams, and Grandfather Mountain.	Larvae are reported from a wide variety of host plants including alder (Alnus), apple (Malus), cherry (Prunus), ninebark (Physocarpus), American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), sumac (Rhus), Viburnum, and bittersweet (Celastrus) (Wagner et al., 2001). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina.	This species comes well to lights and may come to bait, although we have no records for it doing so. Occasionally flushed during the day.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]	This species occurs widely throughout the Mountains, extending also into the western Piedmont. It is associated with both a large range of host plants and habitats within that region and appears to be quite secure within the state.
Endothenia hebesana Verbena Bud Moth MONA_number: 2738.00				Larvae are polyphagous. Reported hosts include foxglove (Aureolaria), larkspur (Delphinium), Soapwort Gentian (Gentiana saponaria), irises, beardtongue (Penstemon), false-dragonhead (Physostegia), Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea), skullcap (Scutellaria), goldenrod (Solidago), hedge-nettle (Stachys), American Germander (Teucrium canadense), mullein (Verbascum), and vervain (Verbena) (MacKay, 1959; Gilligan & Epstein, 2014). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded on Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S4S5
Aglossa cuprina Grease Moth MONA_number: 5518.00		"Both [Aglossa caprealis and A. cuprina] can be a challenge, but generally distinguishable. There is likely also A. oculalis, which is very much like A. cuprina." (Scholtens, 2017)		Larvae probably feed on stored grain, fungi, and detritus, similar to Aglossa caprealis.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNA	Cosmopolitan and possibly exotic in North Carolina
Herpetogramma aeglealis Serpentine Webworm Moth MONA_number: 5280.00	Over 20 species of Herpetogramma have been described from North America that are based mostly on external morphology. The most recent treatment consolidates these into only nine species (Solis, 2010) and all nine occur in North Carolina.	The adults have several color forms that range from pale gray with a yellowish hue on the forewing to predominantly dark brown, with the darker forms well-represented in North Carolina. Regardless of the general color, the head, palps, thorax, abdomen and dark colorings of the wings are concolorous. The marks on the forewing vary from medium to dark brown depending on the color form. The orbicular spot is dark and rounded or squarish, while the dark reniform spot is larger and either rectangular or curved inward. A white patch is present between the two spots, but not between the reniform spot and the postmedial line as seen in some of our Herpetogramma species. The antemedial line is weakly sinuate and strikes the costa just anterior to the orbicular spot. The postmedial line projects inward from the costa at around three-fourths the wing length where it meets an outwardly bulged section with three blunt teeth. From there it projects basally towards the orbicular spot for a short distance, then sharply angles away after approaching the reniform spot and runs nearly perpendicular to the inner margin. A narrow, diffuse, pale line is present on the posterior margin of the postmedial line that contrast with a darker zone of dusting in the subterminal area. The forewing fringe can vary from light brown to dark brown, with a white region near the anal angle. There is a narrow, broken line at the base that parallels a brown marginal line that can be complete or weakly broken. The hindwing is usually paler or whiter than the forewing, and the veins on the light forms often are dark and contrast with the paler ground color. There is an elongated discal spot and a postmedial line that is generally similar in shape to the one on the forewing. A whitish zone is present on the posterior margin of the postmedial line that is much more pronounced than the comparable pale zone on the forewing. It contrasts sharply with a darker zone of dusting in the subterminal area. The fringe on the outer margin is brown on the costal half and whitish on the tornal half, with a line of dark spots along the base of the brown region. The brown terminal line is well developed. The dark forms of H. aeglealis are most easily confused with H. sphingealis. Both species have a white patch between the orbicular and reniform, but not between the reniform and the postmedial line. In the latter, the postmedial lines on both the forewing and hindwing are rather obscure and lack a pale or whitish zone on the posterior margin of the line.	This species is commonly found in rich, mesic hardwoods, bottomland forests, and along forest edges and openings.	The larvae are polyphagous and have been reared on a taxonomically diverse group of plants (Forbes, 1923; Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010; Solis, 2010; Handfield and Handfield, 2011, 2021; Beadle and Leckie, 2018; BugGuide). They commonly use ferns, including Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana), Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), and Woodwardia. Other reported hosts include Canada Wild-ginger (Asarum canadense), ragworts (Packera), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) and goldenrods, including Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis), and White Goldenrod (S. bicolor). In North Carolina, Jeff Niznik and David George reared an adult from a larva using Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), and Jim Petranka reared a larva from Intermediate Wood-fern (Dryopteris intermedia).	The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found in leaf folds.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S4S5	This species is found statewide in rich woods and bottomlands are appears to be secure within the state.
Herpetogramma pertextalis Bold-feathered Grass Moth MONA_number: 5275.00	Over 20 species of Herpetogramma have been described from North America that are based mostly on external morphology. The most recent treatment consolidates these into only nine species (Solis, 2010) and all nine occur in North Carolina.	The following description is based in part on that of Forbes (1923) and Handfield and Handfield (2021). The head, thorax, and abdomen are typically dull yellowish tan, with the abdomen having a narrow white crossband on the posterior margin of each segment. The ground color of the wings varies from dull white to light yellowish-tan and is overlain with a complex pattern of medium to dark-brown marks that are clean-cut. The costa of the forewing has a medium brownish shading that extends from the base to the postmedial line. The fringe varies from whitish to light brown with darker spotting near the base, and the terminal line is dark brown. A whitish patch is located between both the round orbicular and double-lined reniform spot, and between the reniform spot and postmedial line. A short, longitudinal dash is also usually evident between the orbicular and reniform, but displaced inward towards the middle of the wing. The antemedial line is weakly sinuate and often rather obscure, while the postmedial is well defined. It projects inward from the costa at around three-fourths the wing length where it meets an outwardly bulged section with three teeth. From there it projects basally towards the orbicular spot for a short distance, then sharply angles away after approaching the reniform spot and runs nearly perpendicular to the inner margin. A prominent, toothed, dark-brown subterminal line follows the postmedial line and separates a cream-colored zone between the postmedial and subterminal lines from a slightly duller, brownish-cream zone between the subterminal line and the outer margin. The hindwing is concolorous with the forewing and has similar marks, including the fringe and prominent dark brown terminal line. The females tend to be more boldly marked than the males, with the ground color more yellowish white than creamy white. Herpetogramma pertextalis is similar to H. thestealis in terms of overall patterning, but the latter is darker overall, with a sharp contrast between the dark brown subterminal shade on the forewing and the whitish area between it and the postmedial line. The subterminal shade also noticeably widens as it approaches the costa, with the dark, inward-projecting tooth next to the costa often touching or nearly touching the postmedial line. Herpetogramma thestealis also has a whitish ground color, versus a more light yellowish-tan ground in H. pertextalis, and often has a violet or bluish iridescent sheen that is lacking in H. pertextalis. Finally, the inwardly projecting teeth on the subterminal line are finally tapered and less blunt than those of H. pertextalis. Size differences are also helpful, with H. thestealis being significantly larger than H. pertextalis (wingspan 30-35 mm versus 21-24 mm).	Local populations can be found in a variety of habitats, including mesic deciduous forests, forest edges and openings, and wooded residential neighborhoods.	The larvae are polyphagous and feed on both woody and herbaceous plants (Schaffner, 1959; Prentice, 1966; Godfrey et al., 1987; Robinson et al., 2010; Solis, 2010; Beadle and Leckie, 2012; Handfield and Handfield, 2021; BugGuide). The reported hosts include a Bracken Fern (Pteridium sp.; BugGuide) and broadleaf species that include Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sugar Maple (A. saccharum), Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), burdock (Arctium), Coastal Sweet-pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), dogwoods (Cornus), fleabanes (Erigeron), Joe-Pye weeds (Eutrochium), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), hollies (Ilex), ground cherries (Physalis), plantains (Plantago), buttercups (Ranunculus), brambles (Rubus), Canadian Black-snakeroot (Sanicula canadensis), Hairy Leafcup (Smallanthus uvedalia), goldenrods (Solidago), Meadow-rues (Thalictrum), American Basswood (Tilia americana), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), American Elm (Ulmus americana), nettles (Urtica), and violets (Viola). As of 2024, we have rearing records for Canada Violet (Viola canadensis), Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), and Hairy Leafcup.	The adults are attracted to lights and are occasionally found nectaring on wildflowers. More information is needed on the larval life history in North Carolina.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S4S5	This species is common in North Carolina and uses a wide diversity of host plants; it appears to be secure within the state.
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Sonia albimacula MONA_number: 3219.11
Symmerista albifrons White-headed Prominent MONA_number: 7951.00			We have records from most types of hardwood forests but with the majority from bottomlands or mesic slopes.	Larvae feed on members of the Fagaceae, including beech (Fagus), chestnut (Castanea), and oak (Quercus) (Wagner, 2005). In North Carolina, we have feeding records from White Oak (Quercus alba), Cherrybark Oak (Q. pagoda), and Willow Oak (Q. phellos).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S5]
Pelochrista derelicta Derelict Pelochrista MONA_number: 3120.00	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 those of Heinrich (1929) and Wright and Gilligan (2017). The head, palps, antennae and thorax vary from grayish-brown to tawny red. The forewing ground is more or less concolorous and is overlain with numerous fine, dark, wavy striations. The most conspicuous mark is a dark central fascia that extends from near the middle of the costa obliquely to the subtornal region. The proximal margin is diffuse and the distal edge is margined by a thin white line that tends to be weakly angulated towards the apex. A faint sub-basal patch is sometimes evident that extends obliquely outwardly from the inner margin and fades towards the costa. It sometimes extends to the base and forms a basal patch. The postmedian area immediately beyond the median fascia is generally paler than the anterior two-thirds of the wing and often shades to a tawny red or dark reddish brown color towards the apex. The ocellus is either poorly developed or absent, and the termen is edged by a dark line. The posterior half of the costa has a series of brown to reddish streaks that are interspersed with lighter strigulae. The hindwing is smoky fuscous with a paler fringe that has a dark basal line.	Local populations are typically found where goldenrods are common. Adults in North Carolina can be found in open habitats such as old fields and pine savannas, as well as deciduous forests with woodland goldenrods.	The only known hosts are goldenrods. Capek (1969) observed the larvae feeding on the lower shoots, roots, and emerging buds of both Canada Goldenrod (S. canadensis) and Giant Goldenrod (S. gigantea).	The adults are attracted to lights. More information is needed on host use in North Carolina.	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4	This species is widely distributed throughout the state and appears to be secure.
Dichrorampha bittana None MONA_number: 3406.00		This species varies substantially in coloration and patterning. Some individuals are light golden yellow throughout, while others are heavily suffused with brown that can cover the basal half or so of the forewing or much of the entire wing. Most specimens have a yellowish dorsal patch near the middle of the inner margin that can vary markedly in size from a small mark to a more extensive area of yellow that extends to the termen. Individuals that are most golden yellow throughout often have black striations on the veins in the middle of the wing, but these are masked in heavily dusted individuals. A poorly formed yellowish-brown ocellus with a series of three short horizontal dashes is usually evident near the middle of the wing at around three-fourths, along with four terminal dots that are near the middle of the termen. The costal has several whitish strigulae that are often poorly expressed on the apical third, along with two narrow lead-colored striations that project towards the termen and have orangish colored striations on either side of them. The fringe is brown with a lighter whitish central band. The hindwing is grayish brown with the fringe pattern similar to that of the forewing. Certain forms of Dichrorampha bittana can closely resemble specimens of D. simulana and may require using the genitalia, which are distinctive (Miller, 1987; Gilligan et al., 2008).	Specimens in North Carolina have mostly been found deciduous forests or forest edge habitats.	The hosts are poorly documented, but evidence suggests that they may be stem and root borers of Symphyotrichum (McDunnough, 1946, Putnam, 1942) and other composites such as Hoary Tansyaster (Dieteria canescens) in western Canada (Robinson et al., 2010).	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 [S2-S3]	This species appears to reach its southern limits in western North Carolina and is uncommon in the region. We need additional information on its host use, habitat requirements, distribution and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.
Sciota virgatella Black-spotted Leafroller Moth MONA_number: 5797.00				Larvae feed primarily on Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), but also feed occasionally on Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) (Prentice, 1966; Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S4S5
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Habrosyne scripta Lettered Habrosyne MONA_number: 6235.00		A medium-sized, light gray brown moth with conspicuous white markings. The ground color is grayish-brown, with a large basal patch of this color outlined with white. The costa is also white with a few brown spots; two larger brown-and-white spots (orbicular and reniform) are located just inward from the costa and posterior to the basal patch. The median portion of the wing is crossed by a series of narrow, strongly crenulated white bands, followed by a wider subterminal band of white. The terminal stripe is also white and crenulated, followed by a fringe of brown. Habrosyne gloriosa is very similar but the two differ in the outline of the basal patch: in scripta, the posterior white band runs fairly obliquely from the cubital vein to the inner margin; in gloriosa it runs more perpendicular to the costa and then has a sharp right angle bend. Scripta is also lighter brown than gloriosa and the white patches are usually less pinkish (Forbes, 1924).		Larvae feed on blackberry (Rubus) and possibly other members of the Rosaceae (Wagner, 2005). Other hosts require verification.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]
Pero morrisonaria Morrison's Pero MONA_number: 6755.00	One of nineteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Poole, 1987; Pohl et al., 2016), four of which have been recorded in North Carolina		We have records from high elevation forests, including the summits of Mt. Mitchell, Clingman's Dome, and Grandfather Mountain, but also from cove forests and riparian forests at lower elevations, e.g., New River State Park ad Stone Mountain State Park.	Larvae feed on a variety of conifers and possibly some hardwood species. Reported hosts include fir (Abies), larch (Larix), spruce (Picea), pine (Pinus), and hemlock (Tsuga) (Wagner et al., 2001; Maier et al., 2004). Wagner et al. (2001) write that reports from birch and other hardwoods may be in error.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S3S4]	This species appears to be associated with Hemlock Forests and Spruce-fir Forests, all of which are under attack from invasive exotic insects and are likely to become even more stressed due to climate change.
Euphyia intermediata Sharp-angled Carpet MONA_number: 7399.00			Our records come almost entirely from montane riparian forests and cove forests.	Forbes (1948) lists chickweed (Stellaria sp.) and other Caryophyllaceae as host plants. Covell (1984) additionally lists elm (Ulmus), Impatiens, and mustard (Brassica sp.). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]
Amphipoea americana American Ear Moth MONA_number: 9457.00		Very similar in color and markings to Amphipoea interoceanica, but is larger and not as stocky (Forbes, 1954).	Our records come mainly from high elevation forests and semi-natural grasslands, but also from wet meadows and bogs. One isolated Piedmont record comes from a residential area adjacent to both fields and bottomlands.	Larvae reportedly feed on sedges and grasses, including corn, but have also been recorded on iris (Wagner et al., 2011). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina.		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]
Tricholita signata Signate Quaker MONA_number: 10627.00				Larvae are reported to feed on composites, including dandelion (Taraxacum), goldenrod (Solidago), plantain (Plantago), and ragweed (Ambrosia) (Covell, 1984; Robinson et al., 2010; Wagner et al., 2011).		Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]