Moths of North Carolina

sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
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Walshia floridensis None MONA_number: 1617.00		Most of the Walshia in the eastern US cannot be reliably distinguished based on external features and require the examination of genitalia (Hodges, 1978). In addition, W. miscecolorella,...	This species presumably depends on herbaceous legumes for successful reproduction as do most Walshia, but the host plants in North Carolina are undocumented. Our records as of 2020 range from C...	Larvae were reared from Summer Farewell (Dalea pinnata) in Florida (Heppner, 2007)....	The adults are attracted to lights. Collecting and examination of genitalia is essential for identification....		GNR SU	We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species to assess its conservation status. ...
Vitula edmandsii Dried Fruit Moth MONA_number: 6007.00		"Similar to other mainly gray phycitines, but can be told with good photo" (Scholtens, 2017)...	...	Larvae are detritivores on plant and animal materials (Neunzig, 1996). They have been found in the nests of bumblebees, where they feed on wax, pollen, and the dead larvae of the bees. They also feed...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S4S5	...
Vitula broweri Brower's Vitula MONA_number: 6011.00		"Similar to other mainly gray phycitines (in this case brownish), but can be told with good photo" (Scholtens, 2017)...	...	Host plants are apparently unknown (Heinrich, 1956)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SU	...
Virbia rubicundaria Ruddy Virbia MONA_number: 8122.00	One of fourteen species in North America, five of which occur in North Carolina	The smallest and brightest orange of our species of Virbia. The forewings are generally pinkish orange and lack the discal spots and sub-median dark band sometimes found in aurantiaca. Hind-wings ar...	The majority of our records come from Longleaf Pine habitats, including savannas, flatwoods, sandhills, and sandhill seeps. We also have records from Maritime Forests (Baldhead Island) and fairly ordi...	Zaspel et al. (2008) list dandelion (Taraxacum) and wild lettuce (Lactuca) as host plants, but probably as foods accepted in captivity. In the wild, they probably feed on a variety of lo...	Appears to come moderately to blacklights, usually in small numbers but with up to seven collected in a single trap. Adults do not feed, so do not come to bait. Most Virbia can be flushed from ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 SNR [S3S4]	Appears to be somewhat uncommon in North Carolina but may have been overlooked due to mis-identification as V. aurantiaca. It does not appear to be restricted by either host plants or habitats....
Virbia opella Tawny Virbia MONA_number: 8118.00	One of fourteen species in North America, five of which occur in North Carolina. In addition to the nominate form, Brimley (1938) listed V. opella nigricans as occurring in North Carolina. However, this record probably refers to what is now regarded as just a black-winged form of opella (as described by Forbes, 1960). Virbia nigricans currently refers to a species that is found only in a small area of New Jersey and Pennsylvania (see Zaspel et al., 2008).	Virbia opella is similar to several other orange-brown Virbias, but is generally larger and duskier. Fore-wings range from ochre- to blackish-yellow in males; females are usually cinnamon brown and h...	Virtually ubiquitous. Our records come from nearly all types of habitats in the state, including open beach dunes, Longleaf Pine habitats, and barrens, as well as densely wooded peatlands, riparian ha...	Host plant use has apparently not been observed in the wild, but the species probably feeds on low forbs, as reported for other members of this genus (see Forbes, 1960 and Wagner, 2005). ...	Comes well to blacklights, with up to 45 collected in a single trap. Adults do not feed, so do not come to bait. Most Virbia can be flushed from their habitats during the day, indicating they a...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 SNR [S5]	Given its abundance, widespread distribution, and generalized habitat use, this species appears to be one of our most secure species....
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Virbia ferruginosa Rusty Virbia MONA_number: 8123.00	One of fourteen species in North America, five of which occur in North Carolina	Virbia ferruginosa is one of several small brownish- or yellowish-orange Virbias, all of which may be difficult to distinguish, particularly based on photographs alone, especially shots showing just t...	Habitat was not recorded at the few localities where this species has been found in North Carolina...	Larvae of this species has been reared in captivity on dandelion (Taraxacum) (Zaspel et al., 2008), suggesting they might be polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of forbs....	Collection methods were not recorded at the sites where this species has been found in North Carolina...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 SNR [S1S2]	The only current records come from the northern mountains, where they were collected by J.B. Sullivan. The historic records from the Haywood County and the Piedmont may represent misidentifications....
Virbia aurantiaca Orange Virbia MONA_number: 8121.00	One of fourteen species in North America, five of which occur in North Carolina	Virbia aurantiaca is one of several small brownish- or yellowish-orange Virbias, all of which may be difficult to distinguish, particularly based on photographs alone; this is especially true for shot...	Found in most open and forested habitats in the state except from barrier islands and the High Mountans. We have records from peatlands; Longleaf Pine savannas, flatwoods, sandhills, and sandhill see...	Host plant use has apparently not been observed in the wild (Zaspel et al., 2008), but the species probably feeds on low forbs, as reported for other members of this genus (see Forbes, 1960 and Wagner...	Comes moderately well to blacklights, usually in small numbers bt with up to 45 collected in a single trap. Adults do not feed, so do not come to bait. Most Virbias can be flushed from their habitat...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 SNR [S5]	Given its abundance, widespread distribution, and generalized habitat use, this species appears to be secure in the state....
Venusia cambrica Welsh Wave MONA_number: 7425.00		...	Almost alll of our records come from high elevation forests, i.e., above 4,000'. Only a few come from elevations below that level, at a few sites in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Amphibolites....	Larvae are polyphagous, with reported hosts including alder (Alnus), serviceberry (Amelanchier), birch (Betula), cherry (Prunus), willow (Salix), and mountain-ash (<...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S3S4]	...
Urola nivalis Snowy Urola MONA_number: 5464.00		This is a distinctive species that has the head and palps silvery-white above with chestnut- brown scales along the sides. The forelegs and antennae are also chestnut brown, while the thorax is mostly...	Our records are mostly from residential and suburban neighborhoods, and fragmented landscapes with mixtures of fields, forests, and roadway and utility corridors. ...	Urola nivalis has been generally reported to feed on 'grasses' (Covell, 1984; Heppner, 2007; Solis 2008), but we are unaware of any specific studies or rearing records that document this or rep...	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 S4S5	This is a common species that occurs statewide and appears to be secure. ...
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.		...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Udea rubigalis Celery Leaftier Moth MONA_number: 5079.00		The following description is based on that of Forbes (1923). The forewing ground is usually a dull light brown, but is sometimes reddish or dusted with black. The orbicular spot is a slightly darker c...	Local populations are common in open habitats such as early successional fields, roadways, power line corridors, residential communities, and in gardens and cultivated fields. ...	The larvae are highly polyphagous and feed on a wide variety of herbaceous plants, including cultivated crops and greenhouse ornamentals (Miller, 1931; Ball et al., 1935; Schaffner, 1959; Allyson, 198...	The adults are attracted to lights and are occasionally seen resting in the open during the day. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S5	This is a very common species that is found statewide. ...
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.		...
Triclonella pergandeella Bush-clover Triclonella MONA_number: 1524.00	Triclonella is a New World genus with approximately 20 species that occur from Washington, D.C. and northwest Arkansas south through Central America and the Antilles to northern Argentina. Five species occur in America north of Mexico (Hodges, 1978).	This is a distinctive moth with a bold two-toned pattern and a small black dot on the forewing. The following detailed description is based on those of Busck (1901a) and Forbes (1923). The antenna is...	This species feeds on legumes such as Perplexed Tick-trefoil and Maryland Butterfly-pea that are most commonly found in rather open, sunny, and somewhat dry habitats. Typical habitats include woodland...	The known hosts (Busck, 1901a; Heppner, 2003; Robinson et al, 2010) are all legumes and include Fragrant pigeonwings (Clitoria fragrans), Maryland Butterfly-pea (C. mariana), Perplexed T...	The adults are attracted to lights. The larvae are leaf tiers on legumes and have been successfully reared from field collections. More information if needed on host use within the state. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4	This species appears to be somewhat uncommon in the state, but seems reasonably secure based on the number of site records and that fact that its host plants are rather common. ...
Tortricidia testacea Early Button Slug Moth MONA_number: 4652.00	Members of the family Limacodidae have larvae that are known as 'slug caterpillars' due to their unusual movement that entails a high degree of contact with the substrate and the use of abdominal sucker-like appendages for movement. The tend to glide in slow motion across the substrate like a slug. Overwintering occurs in a cocoon that has a hatch-like lid that opens to allow the adult to eclose. This is one of three species in the genus Tortricidia that occur in North America, all of which are found in North Carolina.	Tortricidia testacea is the easiest of our three Tortricidia to identify, although like the others there can be considerable variation among individuals. The adults have broad forewings ...	Local populations are typically found in or near hardwood forests or forest edges as well as wooded residential neighborhoods. Our records come primarily from wet to mesic hardwood forests, including ...	The larvae are polyphagous and feed on the foliage of a variety of hardwoods, particularly those with smooth leaves that allow the larvae to closely contact the leaf surface (Dyar, 1898; Wagner, 2005;...	The adult are attracted to blacklights. They have reduced mouthparts and may not feed; we do not have any records from bait or flowers....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 [S4]	This species occurs widely across the state, occupying a broad set of hardwood forests, and making use of a large range of host plants, including many that are common. It therefore appears to be secu...
Tortricidia pallida of authors Red-crossed Button Slug Moth MONA_number: 4653.00	This is one of three closely related species in this genus that occur in North America, all of which occur in North Carolina.	In this form the forewing varies from warm brown to light pinkish brown or pale buff. Like T. flexuosa, the forewing can be either unmarked or show a faintly patterned, more or less straight br...	This and our other Tortricidia species are generally found in deciduous woodlands, woodland edges, and wooded residential areas....	Larvae feed on deciduous trees such as beeches (Fagus), cherries (Prunus), oaks (Quercus), and willows (Salix; Wagner, 2005), but caution is warranted in interpreting these...	The adults are attracted to lights to some extent. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR [SU]	Members of the T. pallida/flexuosa complex appear to be relatively common across the state, but because of the identification challenges, a clear picture of the status of T. pallida/flexuosa...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Tortricidia flexuosa of authors Abbreviated Button Slug Moth MONA_number: 4654.00	The adults of this species and T. pallida are two forms that have been treated as both a single species and two species over the years. Many of the specimens cannot be differentiated based on either the larvae or adult coloration, patterning, or external morphology. Other evidence such as genitalia or molecular barcoding data have also been found to be of little value. Experts that specialize in this group suspect that they are conspecific (Wagner, 2005; MPG). As such they are perhaps best treated as a poorly resolved species complex, T. pallida/flexuosa. We continue to recognize both species, with the caveat that many of our identifications based on external features such as coloration and patterning are provisional. Another issue involves nomenclature. As noted by Epstein and Fiesler (in Pohl and Nanz, eds.; 2023) and reported here verbatim, the original description of T. pallida by Herrich-Schäffer was only an illustration, one that matches what has been considered to be T. flexuosa by authors since. By priority, this would make the more marked phenotypes to be true T. pallida rather than those with little or no markings: the T. pallida of authors that followed. Tortricidia pallida of authors would be another taxon, perhaps T. flavula, which matches the less marked phenotype but is a darker, more vivid orange-brown. Pending further research, for expediency Epstein and Fiesler treated the species as they have most recently been known, and append "of authors" to both names to reflect the uncertainty in application of the names as they were described. In the text that follows, we refer to "Tortricidia flexuosa of authors" as simply Tortricidia flexuosa.	This species has two forms with intermediate variations. The pale (typical) form has a forewing that is pale orange to pale yellow. It is overlain by a brown or reddish AM line (often faint) that exte...	Populations are found in deciduous forests, along forest edges, and in semi-wooded residential areas. ...	The larvae feed on deciduous broadleaf trees (Prentice, 1966; Robinson et al., 2010; Beadle & Leckie, 2012). The reported hosts include Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), Gray Birch (Betula popul...	Readily attracted to lights....			This species is relatively common across the state, but because of the identification challenges, a clear picture of the status of T. flexuosa in the state may prove elusive for the near future...
Tornos scolopacinaria Dimorphic Gray MONA_number: 6486.00	One of seven species in this New World genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Rindge, 1954), three of which have been recorded in North Carolina	...	The majority of our records come from Longleaf Pine savannas and flatwoods. Other records come from in or near old fields....	Larvae have been recorded on White Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides = Aster multiflorus), Lobed Tickseed (Coreopsis auriculata), and Largeflower Tickseed (Coreopsis grandi...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [S3S4]	...
Tornos abjectarius None MONA_number: 6487.00	One of seven species in this New World genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Rindge, 1954), three of which have been recorded in North Carolina	A medium-sized, yellow-brown Geometrid with narrow, elongated wings held horizontally at rest. Sexes are dimorphic. The ground color of the forewings of the males is ochraceous -- in subspecies cal...	Almost all of our records come from pond, lake, or river shorelines. One record comes from a wet Longleaf Pine savanna....	Host plants are unknown (Rindge, 1954)....	Appears to come well to blacklights....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S2S3 [S3S4]	This species appears to be somewhat specialized in terms of habitat, but without knowing more about its host plants, distribution, and abundance within the state, are unable to accurately assess its c...
Tinea unomaculella MONA_number: 409.00		...	...		...			...
Tinea pellionella complex Casemaking Clothes Moth MONA_number: 405.01	The T. pellionella species complex consists of 11 species of case-making clothes moths that are found worldwide (Robinson, 1979). The members of the complex are indistinguishable based on external morphology and can only be recognized by genitalia. They all are native to the Old World, but many have been spread around the world by humans where they feed on clothing, carpeting, fur, hair, skin, bird feathers and other sources of keratin. At least three members of the complex have been introduced to North America (T. translucens; T. dubiella; T. pellionella), and are treated here as members of the T. pellionella complex.	Members of the Tinea pellionella complex are rather drab species. The head and tuft vary from rusty brown to tannish brown or dull yellowish and are often lighter than the forewings (Forbes, 19...	Characteristically found in close association with humans. ...	The larvae are detritus feeders and do not have specific plant hosts (Forbes, 1923). ...	The adults occasionally appear at lights, but damaged carpeting or clothing often is packed with larval cases. ...		GNR SNA	This is a group of exotic pests that does not warrant protection. ...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Tinea mandarinella Mandarin Tinea MONA_number: 400.00		The following descrition is primarily based on Dietz (1905) and Forbes (1923). The head and tuft are pale yellowish and the antenna fuscous. The labial palps are pale yellowish white and tinged with f...	The habitats are poorly documented. We have many records from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods, as well as a few from more natural forested sites. The larvae are probably scavengers or detritivor...	The hosts are unknown. This species is very likely a detritivore, scavenger, or fungivore like many other Tinea species. ...	The adults visit lights occasionally. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SU	As of 2020, we have only a few site records for this species. Additional information on its distribution and abundance is needed to assess its conservation status. ...
Tinea carnariella None MONA_number: 394.00		The following description is based on Clemens (1859a) and Forbes (1923). The head and thorax are dark ocherous and tinged with reddish, and the head lacks a black spot behind the antenna. The palp is ...	The habitats are poorly documented. ...	The larvae appear to be detritivores and/or scavengers and have been found in wasp nests and an insect collection where they fed on insect remains or the paper nesting material of wasps (Clemens, 1859...	The appear to only rarely visit lights. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SU	...
Tinea apicimaculella Dark-collared Tinea MONA_number: 392.00	Tinea is a genus of small moths that are found worldwide, with 20 currently recognized species in North America.	The following is based in part on the descriptions in Dietz (1905) and Forbes (1923). The head and dorsal tuft are straw yellow, and the antenna brown with faint darker annulations. The outer surface ...	Populations are frequently found in residential neighborhoods, but we have a few records from more natural settings such as state parks. ...	The hosts are unknown, but the larvae are probably detritivores given that larvae of other species often feed on detritus associated with bird nests, owls pellets, ant nests, and mammal sc...	The adults regularly appear at UV-lights. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR [S4S5]	This species is widespread and seems to thrive in urban settings, suggesting that it does not need protection. ...
Thyraylia wiscana None MONA_number: 3854.00		...	...	Host plants are apparently unknown....	...			...
Thyraylia nana None MONA_number: 3778.00		...	...	Host plants are poorly documented. According to the UK Moths website, larvae feed on the catkins of birch (Betula)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.		...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Gretchena bolliana Pecan Bud Moth MONA_number: 3263.00	Gretchena is a New World genus with 12 recognized species. Eleven species occur in North America, and eight of these are endemic to eastern North America.	This species most commonly has an overall grayish color with varying amounts of light brownish dusting and fine blackish speckling, but some individuals may have a more brownish caste. The inner margi...	Most of our records come from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods where the larvae are likely using hickories and walnuts. Records from natural areas include mesic slopes and bottomland hardwoods. ...	The larvae feed on walnuts and hickories (Kearfott, 1908; Forbes, 1923; Moznette et al., 1931; MacKay, 1959; Kimball, 1965; Prentice, 1966; Mizell and Schiffhauer, 1986; Godfrey et al., 1987; Robinson...	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	...
Thyraylia voxcana None MONA_number: 3847.20		...	...	Host plants are poorly documented, but there is a BugGuide record (MJ Hatfield, 2018) of larvae raised from Smooth Oxeye (Heliopsis helianthoides) in Iowa....	...			...
Thaumatopsis floridella Floridian Grass-veneer MONA_number: 5443.00		The following description is based in part on the original description by Barnes and McDunnough (1913). The antenna of the male is unipectinate and the palp is smoky-brown. The head and thorax are pal...	Our records are mostly from costal dune and scrub communities and rarely maritime forests. ...	The host plants are undocumented. Heppner (2007) listed 'grass' but presumably because many members of the Crambini use grasses as hosts. We are unaware of any specific documentation of the larvae usi...	The adults are attracted to UV lights. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR [S1-S3]	This is a seemly rare or uncommon species outside of Florida. As of 2023, we have only four site records for the state. Additional information is needed on the larval life history, host plants and dis...
Thaumatopsis edonis Grassland Thaumatopsis MONA_number: 5438.00		This is a rather distinctive species due to its coloration and patterning, large size for a Crambini, and pectinate antennae that are held upwards when an individual is resting. The head and thorax ar...	All of our records are from the Sandhills and mostly from fire-maintained Longleaf Pine forests, with a few sites in the vicinity of seeps or headwater streams. The sites typically have well-developed...	The host plants are apparently undocumented. Heppner (2007) lists grasses, but we are unaware of any actual observations of larvae, and it may be based on the common host plants of related species....	The adults are attracted to lights and can be flushed from ground vegetation and netted. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S1S3	This species appears to be rare throughout its range, with widely scattered populations across the eastern U.S. North Carolina populations are restricted to fire-maintained communities in the Sandhill...
Telphusa perspicua None MONA_number: 1858.20		...	...	Host plants are apparently unknown....	...			...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Tegeticula yuccasella Yucca Moth MONA_number: 198.00	Tegeticula yuccasella was the traditional name applied to a wide-ranging species that pollinates yuccas. Pellmyr (1999) subsequently split the North American forms north of Mexico into 13 species, and restricted the name T. yuccasella to populations that occur in the central and eastern US. It is the only Tegeticula that occurs in North Carolina. This and a second species (Prodoxus decipiens) are the only two yucca moths that are found in the state.	The following is based on a redescription of the species by Pellmyr (1999). The head and thorax have white scales. The maxillary palp has a fully developed brown tentacle in the female, and sometimes ...	Tegeticula yuccasella primarily uses Yucca filamentosa as a host in North Carolina. This species grows in relatively dry, open habitats such as open woods, the edges of granitic flatroc...	Tegeticula yuccasella uses a variety of Yucca species outside of North Carolina, including Curlyleaf Yucca (Y. filamentosa), Soapweed Yucca (Y. glauca), Buckley Yucca (Y...	The adults are active on the wing for 3-4 hours after dark as they fly between flowers (Marr et al., 2000). They are attracted to lights, but are most easily collected by checking inside flowers durin...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 S2S3	This species is probably more widespread within the state than our records suggest. Additional effort is needed to survey flowers for adult moths, and fruits for the distinctive bore holes. ...
Tebenna gnaphaliella Everlasting Tebenna MONA_number: 2647.00	Tebenna is a small genus with eight species that occur in North America.	The following description is based in part on that of Kearfott (1902) and Forbes (1923). The head is fuscous with silvery gray dusting, while the labial palp is fuscous with white at the base. The ant...	Local populations are most commonly found in sunny and often dry habitats where the host plants grow. Representative habitats include roadsides, fields, urban lots, woodland borders, and clearcuts, as...	The larvae feed on cudweeds (Asteraceae) and their relatives (Kearfott, 1902; Forbes, 1923; Powell and Opler, 2009). The most important hosts in North Carolina are probably Heller's Rabbit-tobacco (	The adults are attracted to lights, but many records are from daytime sightings of adults that are either resting on vegetation or nectaring on composites and other wildflowers. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S4S5]	This species is seemingly secure since it does well in human-altered habitats. ...
Taygete gallaegenitella Southern Taygete MONA_number: 1845.00		The antenna is dull white with darker annulations, and slightly more than one-half the wing length. The labial palps are also dull white and lacks annuli. The forewing is brownish white with three dar...	The preferred habitat is poorly documented. Most of our records are from semi-wooded residential areas. ...	The hosts are poorly documented, but may include wasp galls on oaks (Robinson et al., 2023)....	...	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 of the distribution and abundance of this species to assess its conservation status. ...
Taygete attributella Triangle-marked Twirler MONA_number: 1842.00	Taygete is a small genus 18 species that are mostly found in the neotropics and the western and southwestern US.	The following is based primarily on the descriptions by Chambers (1872) and Forbes (1923). The head and thorax are fuscous and rather heavily scaled, while the antenna are dark brown, rather stout, an...	The preferred habitats are poorly documented. Most of our records are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods. ...	The host species 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 [S3S5]	...
Pseudexentera hodsoni None MONA_number: 3257.10	The genus Pseudexentera currently has 19 recognized species that are found primarily in North and Central America, with 17 recognized species in the US. They are typically found in forested settings and most fly very early in the year. Many are challenging to identify, particularly the species with fasciate forewing patterns that often show substantial intraspecific variation in patterning and have slight differences in genitalia (Miller, 1968; Gilligan et al., 2008). There has been a long history of misidentified species in the group (Miller, 1968) and there is still much confusion about external traits that are useful in sorting out certain closely related forms. DNA barcoding has not proven to be particularly useful in sorting out species since recognized species often have two or more BINS that contain multiple species names. This likely reflects weak genetic differentiation between certain forms and the large numbers of misidentified specimens in collections. Miller (1968) conducted a taxonomic revision and reviewed all of the recognized species in North America, but did not provide detailed descriptions of external coloration, patterning, or intraspecific variation within species. Here, we treat our assignment of the fasciate specimens to species as provisional since they are based on images or pinned specimens that have not been barcoded or dissected to examine genitalia. Even with the latter, specimens cannot always be confidently assigned to species.	In this species the head, palps and antennae vary from grayish-brown to light brown. The thorax tends to be two-toned, with the anterior portion warm brown to light chestnut brown and the posterior ha...	Most of our records are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods. ...	Host records are fragmentary, but the larvae appear to specialize on oaks, including Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) and red oaks (Miller, 1986). ...	The adults are attracted to lights. ...		GNR[S4S5]	This species appears to be secure in North Carolina, with most of our records from residential settings. ...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Eupithecia matheri None MONA_number: 7509.10		The forewings are elongated, with an attenuate apex (Rindge, 1985). The ground color is gray with faint brown tinge. The markings are obscure, with the antemedian and postmedian lines only weakly deve...	...	Hosts are poorly documented, but Robinson et al. (2010) list Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S2S3]	...
Tampa dimediatella Tampa Moth MONA_number: 6028.00		...	...	Host plants are apparently unknown....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4	...
Tacoma feriella None MONA_number: 5901.00		...	...	Host plants are poorly documented, with one record from European Mistletoe (Viscum album) (Robinson et al., 2023)....	...			...
Syndemis afflictana Gray Leafroller Moth MONA_number: 3672.00	Rubinoff et al. (2017) examined molecular variation in Syndemis afflictana and provided evidence that there are five undescribed species in California masquerading as Syndemis afflictana. Populations from the remainder of the range in North America appear to constitute a single species. Here, we do not include the California populations with this species.	In this species the head, palps, antennae and thorax are light to dull gray. The forewing ground is dull gray with scattered blackish reticulations. The most prominent mark is a broad, light gray, pos...	Local populations are generally associated with forested landscapes. They can be found in both conifer-dominated and hardwood dominated forests, and along forest edges and in apple orchards....	The larvae are polyphagous and feed on both conifers and hardwoods (Walsingham, 1879; Forbes, 1923; Freeman, 1958; Powell, 1964; Prentice, 1966; Ferguson, 1975; Heppner, 2007; 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 [S4S5]	This species reaches its southern range limit in the southern Appalachians but shows no evidence of recent marked population declines. It is somewhat uncommon, but well-represented in the Blue Ridge. ...
Sympistis perscripta Scribbled Sallow MONA_number: 10154.00	One of 256 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010). The vast majority of these species are associated with xeric habitats in the West (Troubridge, 2008) and only four species have been recorded in North Carolina.	A medium-sized, pale gray to grayish brown Noctuid with well-marked transverse lines and spots. The ground color is fairly uniform but the basal third may be somewhat darker. The antemedian and postm...	Our records come from sandy habitats in the Coastal Plain, mostly from within Longleaf Pine-dominated sandhill habitats or where these habitats are located close by. Common Toadflax often occurs in di...	Larvae are stenophagous, feeding on toadflaxes, particularly Canada Toadflax (Linaria canadensis), as well as on snapdragons (Antirrhinum) (Wagner et al., 2011)....	All our records were obtained using blacklights....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SU	This species has long been considered to be local and uncommon (e.g., Forbes, 1954). Wagner et al. (2011) also describe its populations as fugitive. Our few records are consistent with these descripti...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Sympistis dinalda Broad-lined Sallow MONA_number: 10066.10		...	...	Larvae reportedly feed on Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) (Beadle & Leckie, 2012)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SU	...
Sympistis chionanthi Fringe-tree Sallow MONA_number: 10067.00		...	...	Reported hosts include Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and ash (Fraxinus) (Wagner et al., 2011)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S1]	This species appears to be very rare in the state and the threats to its host plant, Fringetree, from the depredations of the Emerald Ash Borer are quite high...
Sympistis badistriga Brown-lined Sallow MONA_number: 10059.00		...	...	Larvae feed on honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), including Limber Honeysuckle (L. dioica). Reports from various hardwoods (Robinson et al., 2010) are questionable and require verification. Li...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [S3S4]	...
Symmetrischema striatella Streaked Twirler MONA_number: 2039.00		The following is based on the description by (Murtfeldt, 1900). The antenna is about three-fourths the wing length and pale with dark brown annulations. The second and third joints of the labial palp ...	Eastern Black Nightshade is probably the most commonly used host in North Carolina. It grows in sunny or partially shaded habitats that are often disturbed. Examples include woodland borders, powerlin...	The larvae feed internally on the berries of nightshades (Robinson et al., 2010). Species that are used include American Black Nightshade (Solanum americanum) and European Black Nightshade (...	The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found on nightshade fruits. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR [S2S3]	As of 2024, we have < 10 site records for the state. We need more information on the distribution and abundance of this species before we can assess its conservation status. ...
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 (...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S5]	...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Chimoptesis gerulae Carrier Moth MONA_number: 3272.00	Chimoptesis is a largely neotropical genus with 25 described species, four of which occur in the US (Razowski and Becker, 2015).	The following description is based primarily on that of Heinrich (1923). The palps, antennae, and the crest on the crown of the head are grayish fuscous (Heinrich, 1923). The ground color of the forew...	Most of our records are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods and other partially shaded habitats. ...	The host plants are undocumented, but other Chimoptesis feed on oaks. ...	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 S4-S5	This species appears to be secure within the state. ...
Swammerdamia caesiella Gray-blue Swammerdamia MONA_number: 2413.00		...	...	Reported hosts include alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), and chestnut (Castanea) (Eiseman, 2022)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.		...
Suleima helianthana Sunflower Bud Moth MONA_number: 3212.00		The palps, head, thorax, and ground of the forewing are concolorous and vary from light tan to gray brown. The ground of the forewing often has faint striations that can produce a faintly grizzled pat...	Local populations are typically found in partially shaded or sunny settings that support native sunflowers. This species can also reach high densities in commercial plantings of sunflowers....	Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) are the primary hosts, with Common Sunflower (H. annuus) and Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) being commonly used; other reported hosts incl...	The adults are attracted to lights. We need information on host use in North Carolina and we encourage naturalists to inspect sunflower stems and flower heads for boring damage and larvae....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR [S3-S4]	This species was only recently discovered in North Carolina and we do not have sufficient information on its distribution and abundance to accurately assess its conservation status. ...
Strepsicrates smithiana Bayberry Leaftier Moth MONA_number: 2907.00		The following description is based in part of those by Walsingham (1891) and Forbes (1923). The antenna, palps, head, and thorax vary from cinereus to grayish brown. The thorax is smooth and the head ...	Local populations in eastern North America are largely associated with bayberries and waxmyrtles. In North Carolina, this species is strongly dependent on these species. They most commonly are found i...	The larvae feed on Morella species (Brown et al., 2008; Heinrich, 1923), including Southern Bayberry (M. carolinensis), Common Waxmyrtle (M. cerifera), and Northern Bayberry (M...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4	...
Spinitibia hodgesi Streaked Spinitibia MONA_number: 1134.10	Spinitibia is a monotypic genus and Spinitibia hodgesi is the second known endemic species of Symmocinae in North America (Lee and Brown, 2010).	This is a small moth that is best identified by the lateral and median longitudinal dark brown bands on the thorax, the dark brown and yellow streaks of the forewing, and the pale discal cell with a b...	Lee and Brown (2010) reported that most specimens were collected in a variety of dry forests, as well as in prairies, cedar glades, inland dunes, and old fields. ...	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]	We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species in North Carolina to assess its conservation status. ...