| Moths of North Carolina |
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| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zomaria rosaochreana Yellow-striped Zomaria MONA_number: 2751.00 | Larvae reportedly feed on Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) (Brown et al., 2008), which has been confirmed as a host in North Carolina. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | [GNR] S3S4 | |||||
| Zomaria interruptolineana Broken-line Zomaria MONA_number: 2750.00 | This is an easily-recognized tortricid, with resting adults having a reddish thoracic tuft and a broad, inverted, brownish, V-shaped pattern on the basal half of the forewing. The following detailed description is based in part on that of Fernald (1882). The head and palps are ashy gray, while the thorax is a light purplish-gray anteriorly and dark reddish-brown posteriorly, with a stout, dark reddish scale tuft. A light purplish-ashy band extends from the base of the inner margin of the forewing to the costa, where it gradually decreases in width and terminates near the middle of the costa. The purplish-ashy band is paralleled inwardly by a broad, dark, reddish-brown band. The band fades towards the inner margin, and is margined with a thin white line of scales on its outer and terminal margins. The band, along with the concolorous posterior portion of the thorax, produce a distinctive inverted V-shaped pattern on the basal half of the forewing of resting individuals. The remainder of the wing has rather complex patterning, with the most prominent marks being a dark reddish-brown medial fascia that extends inwards from the costa to near the middle of the wing. The fascia has two elongated teeth that extend posteriorly, with the innermost one often meeting a thin concolorous line that extends from the end of the tooth to the outer margin. Another prominent mark is a large, oblong, light reddish-brown patch along the inner margin near the medial fascia that is margined with whitish scales. The fringe is purplish-brown and the hindwings brown. | Most of our records come from residential neighborhoods. Some use of open shrubby areas appears to be true at some high elevation sites, such as the summit of Mt. Mitchell, Clingman's Dome, and Yellow Mountain. Records from the Sandhills may also come from areas where heaths are common. Elsewhere, however, the habitats used are less clear. | Larvae feed on shrubs in the heath and legume families (Brown et al., 2008), including blueberry (Vaccinium) and huckleberry (Gaylussacia) (Heinrich, 1926). In North Carolina, a larva has been reared from Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | GNR S3S4 | |||
| Zimmermannia obrutella None MONA_number: 53.00 | Zimmermannia is a genus that contains 17 currently recognized species, many of which were previously placed in the closely related genus Ectoedemia. Five species are currently recognized in the Nearctic region. In their revised classification and catalogue of global Nepticulidae, Nieukerken et al. (2016) recognized Z. obrutella as a new combination that involved the combining of three previously recognized species. These are Ectoedemia. piperella (Wilkinson and Newton, 1981) that was described from Arkansas, E. reneella (Wilkinson, 1981) that occurs in southern Florida, and E. obrutella (Zeller, 1873) that is more widespread in the eastern US. | The following description is based primarily on Braun (1917) and Wilkinson and Newton (1981). The head is pale brown, the antenna fuscous, and the eye caps white. The tufts on the front of head and the vertex are orange-ochreous, and the collar is pale brown. The forewings is pale ocherous to yellow-cream, slightly iridescent, and dusted with coarse brown scales. The dark dusting is more pronounced towards the apex, least evident towards the base of the inner margin, and typically more dense in the male than in the female. The costa often has black scales that are concentrated for a short distance from the base, particularly in the male. The cilia are pale yellowish gray, with a marginal row of dark scales. The underside of the forewing is darker than the hindwing, which is pale grayish, with paler more yellowish cilia. The legs are pale ocherous and the abdomen gray, with a yellowish anal tuft. Populations in southern Florida (previously recognized as Ectoedemia reneella) are totally white or buff with little or no dark dusting. | The habitat is largely unknown. Our one record is from a young, second-growth hardwood forest. | The host species have never been discovered. | Specimens occasionally visit lights. | GNR SU | ||
| Zimmermannia mesoloba None MONA_number: 58.00 | Zimmermannia mesoloba was previously placed in the genus Ectoedemia; Van Nieukerken et al. (2016) treated Ectoedemia coruscella as a junior synonym of this species. | The following description is based on part on that of Wilkinson and Newton (1981) and Davis (1978), who based his original description on a single male specimen from the Florida Panhandle. This is a very small moth with a forewing length of < 3 mm. The head tuft and frons are densely covered with erect, hairlike scales that vary from a deep straw color to brownish-orange. The maxillary and labial palps are almost entirely whitish, and the antenna is approximately 0.6 times the length of the forewing. The scape (eye cap) and pedicel are whitish and contrast with the remainder of the antenna (flagellum) that is dark brown above and slightly paler below. The thorax is whitish and slightly suffused with brown scales, while the forewing is mostly dark brown to blackish and slightly irrorated with straw-colored to whitish scales. These tend to be concentrated in the cilia, near the middle of wing on the costal half, and in the subapical region along the costa, where they may form weakly differentiated whitish blotches or spots. | The preferred habitats are poorly documented, but this species appears to be associated with hardwood forests. | The hosts are undocumented, but the larvae likely mine the twigs of hardwoods such as oaks (Eiseman, 2022). | The adults are attracted to lights, but perhaps only weakly so. | GNR SU | Zimmermannia mesoloba appears to be rare in North Carolina, but more information is needed on its habitat requirements, distribution and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status within the state. | |
| Zelleria retiniella Brindled Zelleria MONA_number: 2431.00 | Zelleria retiniella is a small moth that has a distinct pattern, with the bright white head and thorax contrasting with an irregularly banded, orangish and white forewing. The maxillary palp is orange, while the labial palp is mostly white with a prominent, upturned scale tuft. The antenna is white with brown annulations, and the thorax is white, except for a dusting of orange scales on the posterior margin. The forewing has a series of highly irregular, transverse, white and orange bands that often anastomose, with the orange color predominating on the apical third of the wing. The white areas often have a sprinkling of brown scales on them. The outer fringe is white with a sprinkling of dark brown scales at the base and a denser group on the outer margin. The hindwings are dull white, and the legs mostly white with an orange band or two on the tarsi. | Records in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina come mainly from Longleaf Pine habitat, including sand ridges. Pines are also present in a number of other sites in North Carolina where this species has been observed. | The host plants appear to be unknown but a related species, Z. haimbachi, has similar coloration as an adult and has larvae that feed on the needles of Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata (Forbes, 1923). | 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] | ||
| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
| Zanclognatha theralis Flagged Zanclognatha MONA_number: 8341.00 | One of thirteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; 2013; Wagner and McCabe, 2011), all of which have been recorded in North Carolina | Our records come primarily from forested sites, but including both pine and hardwood dominated stands. Few, if any, come from open habitats, including savannas, maritime grasslands, and old fields. | Larvae have been reared from Old Man's Beard (Usnea) (Sigal, cited by Wagner et al., 2011), but other members of this genus typically feed on dead leaves. | Comes to blacklights. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G4 SNR [S4S5] | ||
| Zanclognatha protumnusalis Complex Zanclognatha MONA_number: 8349.00 | One of thirteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; 2013; Wagner and McCabe, 2011), all of which have been recorded in North Carolina | The ground color is dull, dark fuscous (Forbes, 1954). The antemedian is waved on the veins and strongly excurved. The postmedian is dark and somewhat dentate and the subterminal is usually clear and pale. Zanclognatha obscuripennis is similar in color and has a prominently pale subterminal line. However, the antemedian line in that species runs straight from just below the costa to just before the inner margin. Zanclognatha dentata is also very similar, with some individuals indistinguishable based on outward appearance alone. However, it usually lacks the dark shade in front of the postmedian, which also makes a more rounded bend in from the costa. The reniform spot is usually rounded distally rather than concave (Wagner and McCabe, 2011). | Our records come almost entirely from bottomlands, coves, and mesic slopes. | Wagner et al. (2011) report rearing larvae of this species on dead oak and Black Cherry leaves. In Canada, larvae have been reported feeding on conifer leaves (D. Lafontaine, cited by Wagner et al., 2011). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S3S5] | ||
| Zanclognatha near lituralis MONA_number: 8340.10 | Populations that are currently recognized as Zanclognatha lituralis appear to constitute a species complex composed of at least two species (Rings et al., 1996). Barcoding indicates that there are two distinct genetic groups in North Carolina that differ genetically by more than two percent. The two groups seem to segregate spatially, with true Z. lituralis occurring in the Blue Ridge and western Piedmont, and a second species (here referred to as 'Zanclognatha near lituralis') occurring in the Coastal Plain (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.). Specimens from the Blue Ridge and Box Creek Preserve in Rutherford County barcode as true Z. lituralis, while over 20 specimens from several sites in the Coastal Plain all barcode as 'Zanclognatha near lituralis'. Specimens from the central and eastern Piedmont have yet to be barcoded and could possibly be mixtures of both forms. Here, we provisionally treat specimens from the Blue Ridge and western Piedmont as Z. lituralis and those from the Coastal Plain as 'Zanclognatha near lituralis'. Those from the central and eastern Piedmont are placed in a separate account as members of the Z. lituralis complex. Dissections so far have not shown definitive characters that will separate the two species. In females there are three potential characters that may be helpful. These include the ductus being shorter in true Z. lituralis, the anterior end of the ductus being sclerotized in 'Zanclognatha near lituralis', and the field of cornuti beneath the crenulated anterior end of the bursa being vertically divided in 'Zanclognatha near lituralis'. Macro characters that might help include the average size of specimens and the clarity of the markings on the forewing. More data is need on size, and we encourage submitters to report the front wing lengths of their specimens. | |||||||
| Zanclognatha minoralis None MONA_number: 8343.00 | One of thirteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; 2013; Wagner and McCabe, 2011), all of which have been recorded in North Carolina | Our records all come from wet-mesic habitats, including cove forests, northern hardwoods, and riparian forests in the Mountains and swamp forests in the Coastal Plain. We are unsure, however, whether the populations in the Mountains and Coastal Plain represent the same species. | Probably feeds on dead leaves and detritus, like other members of this genus. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | GNR SNR [S2S3] | |||
| Chionodes thoraceochrella None MONA_number: 2119.00 | The genus Chionodes is the most species rich genus of gelechiid moths in the Western Hemisphere, with 187 recognized species. Our knowledge of the diverse array of species in North America is largely due to the monumental work of Hodges (1999), who spend decades working on the group and described 115 new species (Powell and Opler, 2009). Many exhibit substantial variation within species and have drab coloration, typically with brown, dark gray, or blackish patterning on the forewings. These can only be confidently identified by examining secondary sexual characteristics and/or the genitalia of one or both sexes. Others are more boldly marked and can be identified by wing patterning. Many of our state records are based on Hodges (1999) database of over 19,000 specimens that he examined from major collections in the US. These include North Carolina specimens that he collected mostly from Highlands, and from a few other areas within the state. | The following is based in part on the description by Hodges (1999). The head and thorax are pale yellowish gray, and the antenna dark brown with pale and dark brown annulations. The labial palp is mainly dark grayish brown, with the apex of the second segment medium orangish gray. The third segment is mainly dark brown, but with scattered yellowish-white mottling beyond two-fifths, and a yellowish white tip. The forewing is often dark gray with scattered blackish blotches, but individuals are often lighter and have a slightly blotched appearance with pale yellowish-gray, orange-brown, or off-white scales. North Carolina specimens can be dark, but are often lighter and frequently have a posteriorly oblique, irregular dark band that begins on the costa at about one-third and terminates before reaching the inner margin. A dark costal spot is present at about four-fifths that is followed by a pale blotch that is often part of a posteriorly angled pale fascia. The dorsal surface of the abdomen is medium gray and overlain with paler scales on Tl and T2. The posterior margin of each tergum is pale gray. The upper portion of the legs are mottled with pale gray and dark brown, while the tarsi are dark brown with pale annulations. The foreleg is more boldly marked than the remaining two. The forewing patterning is variable on this species and individuals are best identified by dissection. | The larvae appear to specialize on oaks and our records are mostly from areas with hardwood forests or mixed pine-hardwood forests. | The larvae feed on oaks (Hodges, 1999) and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). The known oak hosts include White Oak (Quercus alba), Swamp White Oak (Q. bicolor), and Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra). Other oak species are undoubtedly used given the wide range of this species. Records of this species using Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and the catkins of Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) in the eastern US are questionable and need to be verified (Hodges, 1999). | 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] | Hodges (1999) noted that this may be one of the most common gelechiid moths in the eastern US. It appears to be secure within the state. |
| 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 forewing varies from grayish brown to dull ocherous-fuscous, with a whitish median patch on the dorsal margin (sometimes obscure) that extends inward to about one-third of the wing width. The white patch is preceded by a broad area of black that commonly extends from the wing base to the patch and covers the dorsal two-thirds or more of the wing. Immediately behind the patch is a narrower band of black that extends along the dorsal margin. A narrow arc of black extends from the median area of the costa obliquely to near the middle of the wing, then projects backwards to the apex. The costal portion is often fused or partially fused with the second black band behind the central white patch to produce a complete fascia. The costal edge within the arc has 3-4 short oblique dark streaks, and the apex usually has a dark costal spot. The ocellar region is rather poorly expressed and typically paler than the surrounding ground, and there are two or three faint black horizontal dashes in the ocellus. The hindwing is pale smoky fuscous. Chimoptesis pennsylvaniana, which flies at the same time, is similar but has a much more conspicuous area of white or greenish-white running along the dorsal margin. Unlike C. pennsylvaniana, the palps and crests are not contrasting. | 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 S4S5 | This species appears to be secure within the state. |
| Chimoptesis n-sp MONA_number: 3271.10 | This is an undescribed species of Chimoptesis that is known from the Gulf Coast and North Carolina (see BugGuide). | Host plants are apparently unknown. | ||||||
| Prionoxystus robiniae Carpenterworm Moth MONA_number: 2693.00 | One of three members of the genus in North America, two of which are found in North Carolina. It is among the largest of the "micro-moths." | Sexually dimorphic. Both sexes possess a thick abdomen, broad thorax, and disproportionally small head with pectinate antennae. The forewings of the female are black and heavily mottled with black-centered gray spots and blotches, while the hindwings are translucent gray. Males are smaller with narrower, more attenuated forewings that show similar markings but appear noticeably blacker overall. The hindwings of the male have a straighter outer margin and are reddish-orange to yellow, bordered in black. Differentiated from P. macmurtrei by less translucent gray-spotted rather than black-striated forewings. | Most of our records come from stands of hardwoods growing in bottomlands or mesic slopes. A few, however, come from xeric sites, including maritime forests, sandhills, and dry ridge tops. | The larvae bore into the wood of a wide variety of deciduous trees (Forbes, 1923; Craighead et al., 1950; English, 1958; Prentice, 1966; Baker, 1972; Covell, 1984; Covell, 2005; Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010). The reported hosts include Box-elder (Acer negundo), Groundsel-tree (Baccharis halimifolia), American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), Sweet Chestnut (C. sativa), Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), fig (Ficus), Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera), Eastern Cottonwood (P. deltoides), Quaking Aspen (P. tremuloides), White Oak (Quercus alba), Turkey Oak (Q. laevis), Live Oak (Q. virginiana), Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), willows (Salix), American Elm (Ulmus americana), and English Elm (U. procera). | Both sexes attracted to lights, though females are seen more commonly than males. Since the mouthparts of the adults are rudimentary, they do not feed and consequently do not come to bait or visit flowers | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it in state parks and on other public lands. | G5 [S5] | This species is widespread in North Carolina and uses a wide variety of habitats, some very common. Consequently, it appears to be secure within the state. |
| Zanclognatha marcidilinea Yellowish Zanclognatha MONA_number: 8352.00 | One of thirteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; 2013; Wagner and McCabe, 2011), all of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Formerly, this species was identified as "jacchusalis" (e.g., see Forbes, 1956; Hodges et al., 1983; Covell, 1984), but was re-identified as "marcidilinea" by Lafontaine and Honey (2009) (see also Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010), based on an examination of the type specimen. As another result of this analysis, the name "jacchusalis" was re-applied to the species that had formerly been known as "ochreipennis". | One of the larger species of Zanclognatha, marcidilinea is pale luteous- or gray-brown that is lightly and evenly dusted with fuscous scales (Forbes, 1954). The antemedian is waved and the postmedian is slightly dentate; both are fairly weakly marked. The subterminal is the strongest marking and is straight and yellow (Forbes, 1954; Lafontaine and Honey, 2009). Jacchusalis, as now known, is more ochre and more heavily dusted or mottled with brown; it also has a more deeply dentate postmedian line (Forbes, 1954; Lafontaine and Honey, 2009). In general, the antemedian and postmedian are both much more prominent in jacchusalis, but the subterminal is thinner, with a preceding dark shade (J.B. Sullivan, pers. obs.). | Our records come from both wet-mesic and dry-xeric stands of hardwoods | Larvae may feed on dead leaves and detritus like other members of this genus | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | GNR SNR [S4S5] | ||
| Zanclognatha jacchusalis Wavy-lined Zanclognatha MONA_number: 8353.00 | One of thirteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; 2013; Wagner and McCabe, 2011), all of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Formerly, this species was identified as "ochreipennis" (e.g., see Forbes, 1956; Hodges et al., 1983; Covell, 1984), but was re-identified as "jacchusalis" by Lafontaine and Honey (2009) (see also Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010), based on an examination of the type specimen. As another result of this analysis, the name "marcidilinea" was re-applied to the species that had formerly been known as "jacchusalis". | One of the larger species of Zanclognatha, jaccusalis is yellowish- or orange-brown that is heavily speckled or mottled with dark brown; the antemedian line is waved and the postmedian line is deeply dentate on the veins; the subterminal is prominent, straight, and with a dark shade preceding the luteous line (Forbes, 1954; Lafontaine and Honey, 2009). Marcidilinea, as now defined, is a paler gray brown, is more finely dusted, and has a more shallowly dentate, less prominent postmedian (Forbes, 1954; Lafontaine and Honey, 2009). The subterminal of marcidilinea also tends to be broader and lacks the preceding dark line (J.B. Sullivan, pers. obs.). | Wagner et al. (2011) list barrens, oak woodlands, and forests as the habitat of this species. Most of our records come from wet to mesic hardwoods, however, including riparian and cove forests and northern hardwoods. | Larvae have been reared on dead oak leaves in captivity and presumably feed on dead leaves and detritus (Wagner et al., 2011). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S3S5] | ||
| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
| Zanclognatha cruralis Early Zanclognatha MONA_number: 8351.00 | One of thirteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; 2013; Wagner and McCabe, 2011), all of which have been recorded in North Carolina | This species and Z. obscuripennis are very similar in size and markings. The lines in both species are generally strongly marked and even rather than waved. The antemedian is bent just below the costa but otherwise runs fairly straight across the wings; the postmedian is sinuous but not dentate, and the subterminal is straight and typically conspicuous. Forbes (1954) describes cruralis as pale clay color to light fuscous, particularly in the first brood; second brood individuals can be much darker. The subterminal line is characteristically dark and contrasting with the paler ground color; if bordered by a pale line, the dark line is much more prominent. In Z. obscuripennis, the ground color of the forewings is typically darker, with the pale line of the subterminal more prominent. | Our records come mainly from wet to mesic hardwood forests, including bottomland hardwoods, mesic slopes, cove forests, and northern hardwoods. Only a few come from xeric woodlands, such as maritime forests or sand ridges. | Larvae have been found on a wide variety of plant species, including hardwood trees and shrubs, forbs, and conifers. Wagner et al. (2011) specifically list beech (Fagus), hazel (Corylus), hemlock (Tsuga), maple (Acer), nettle (Urtica), and Red Spruce (Picea rubens). While dead and wilted leaves are readily eaten in captivity, this species is also frequently found up in foliage rather than on the ground as in other members of this genus. | Comes to blacklights. Larvae are frequently found by beating foliage. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S4S5] | |
| Zanclognatha atrilineella Black-lined Zanclognatha MONA_number: 8346.00 | One of thirteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; 2013; Wagner and McCabe, 2011), all of which have been recorded in North Carolina | A strikingly and distinctively banded Deltoid. The ground color is pale whitish or gray, crossed by dark brown antemedan, postmedian, and subterminal bands. The antemedian and subterminal are straight but the postmedian makes an outward curve around the cell; the postmedian and subterminal are bordered by a pale stripe on the outer side. The reniform spot is the same dark shade as the lines. Zanclognatha laevigata has some forms that have strong brown bands, but is larger and has a subterminal line that is waved rather than straight. | Our records all come from riparian habitats, including both swamp forests and bottomland hardwoods. | Hosts are apparently unknown, but a number of species in this genus have been reared on dead leaves and other detritus (Wagner et al., 2011). | All of our specimens were collected using blacklight traps. However, we do not have enough records for this species to estimate how well it comes to lights. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | GU S2S3 | We have only a few records for this species, which appears to be a least somewhat specialized in terms of its habitats. However, its habitats themselves do not appear to be rare within the state and without knowing more about its host plants and other possible limiting factors, it is difficult to assess the conservation status of this species in North Carolina. |
| Zale new species near buchholzi MONA_number: 8706.10 | Host plants are unknown. | GNR SNR [S2S3] | ||||||
| Zale fictilis None MONA_number: 8687.00 | One of 39 species in this genus that occur north of Mexico, 23 of which have been recorded in North Carolina | A grayish brown Zale. Males tend to be grayish, with few contrasting areas, and are unlikely to be confused other species of our Zales. Females, however, are browner and more similar to the brown forms of lunata. The most diagnostic mark (Smith, 1908) appears to be the postmedian, which is a fine, single, dentate line in fictilis but is doubled and less sharply cusped in lunata, particularly between the cell and the inner margin. The reniform is also outlined by yellowish scales in fictilis but not outlined at all in lunata (Smith, 1908). | The sole North Carolina record is from a Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp | Larvae have been reported on Citrus in the Caribbean (Robinson et al., 2010). While one member of the Rutaceae - Hercules' Club (Zanthoxylum clava-hercules) - is native to maritime forests and shell middens along the North Carolina coast, it is unlikely to occur at the inland swamp forest where our one specimen of Z. fictilis was collected. | Collected using 15 watt blacklight trap; like other Zale species, probably comes better to bait than to light. | Not given any legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SU | Too little is known about the residency status (it may be just a rare migrant or stray), distribution, or habitat associations to determine the conservation status of this species in North Carolina. Currently, it seems best to place it on the NHP Watchlist until more can be learned. |
| Ypsolopha falciferella Scythed Ypsolopha MONA_number: 2380.00 | Ypsolopha falciferella is a widely distributed species that shows evidence of possibly consisting of more than one species (BOLD). This genus in general contains numerous geographically variable forms in North America and is in need of a thorough systematic evaluation. | Ypsolopha falciferella is a powdery grayish-brown moth with very long and narrow wings and tufted labial palps that project forward. The general body shape resembles that of some of our grass-veneers. The following description is based in part on that of Walsingham (1881), who described specimens from California and Oregon. The head and labial palps are speckled gray, and the tufted palps projecting forward more than twice the length of the head. The forewing is narrow and around four times as long as wide, with the width only slightly increasing from the base to the outer margin. The apex is strongly falcate and the anal angle well defined. The cilia along the outer margin are shorter and darker near the middle, which produces a concave cavity of sorts. Fresh specimens usually have a series of raised scale tufts along the inner margin. The forewing ground color varies from grayish-white to grayish-brown and has two irregularly-margined, parallel, brownish bands. The first extends obliquely from the inner margin at around one-fourth the wing length to the costa at around one-half the length, while the second extends from the inner margin just beyond the one-half and typically terminate near or just beyond the middle of the wing. It sometimes connects to a posteriorly oblique band that extends from the costa at around one-half, with the ends of both meeting at their tips near the middle of the wing. Individuals vary substantially in the dark patterning on the wings, so expect deviations from the description above. The hindwing and cilia vary from light brown to pale cinereous. | As of 2025, our records are from deciduous forests with edge habitat. | The larvae appear to specialize on members of the Rosaceae, with the reported hosts including apple (Malus), Fire Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), Choke Cherry (P. virginiana), and mountain-ash (Sorbus) (Robinson et al., 2023). | 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 [S2S3] | This species appears to reach the southern limit of its range in the eastern US in North Carolina. Populations here appear to be disjunct from the main range that is found farther north in Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland. |
| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
| Ymeldia janae Jane's Ymeldia MONA_number: 2216.00 | Ymeldia janae is a small, mostly brownish moth with a forewing that is heavily peppered with dark-brown and orangish-brown dots, and has a series of dark streaks near the middle of the wing. The following description is based mostly on that of Hodges (1965), who described specimens from Florida. The labial palp is slightly recurved, with an acute apex that just reaches the vertex. The second segment is slightly longer than the third, and has a broad black band on the basal half and a narrow black band below the apex. The third segment has a black band at one-fifth, three-fifths, and at the apex. The frons is white with dark-gray tipped scales, and the vertex grayish-brown. The antenna has an orangish shaft with black on the basal half of many segments. There are three black bands of two segments each between the two-thirds and the apex ,with the latter being orangish-white. The thorax is brownish-gray, with three diffuse, faint, dark spots on the posterior end. The forewing ground is white and heavily peppered with a mixture of brownish-gray, orange and orangish-brown scales. The most conspicuous dark marks are a pair of thick, black, longitudinal dashes or spots at around two-fifths the wing length and located near the center of the wing, and a similar and often more elongated dash at around two-thirds, and in line with the more costal dash of the first pair. A diffuse dark blotch is present at the apex. Scattered streaks of orange scales are also present over the wing, and the hindwing is grayish-red. The legs are white, with the metathoracic tibia having an oblique black streak on the outer surface at one-fifth, and another streak on the outer surface from one-half to near the apex. The first tarsal segment has a broad black band at the middle, while the second and fourth have a basal black band. The third segment is black on the dorsal and outer surfaces, and the fifth segment is white. Specimens from North Carolina deviate substantially from the description above, with the most obvious difference being the antenna shaft that has three elongated dark bands on the apical third. Hodges (1965) described these as consisting of two segments, while North Carolina specimens have around five segments in each band (also see MPG and iNaturalist specimens that are similar). Another difference is that North Carolina specimens have greatly reduced orange scaling on the forewing compared with those examined and described by Hodges (1965) from a single site in Florida. Specimens with the elongated bars on the antennae and reduced orange scaling are common in Florida and the Gulf Coast states. We are uncertain if these represent an undescribed species, or perhaps simply geographic variation in patterning and coloration. The former seems more likely, but more study is needed to resolve the issue. | As of 2025, all of our habitats are from sandy, xeric communities. | The only reported host is for Wild-Tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum), which is a native legume that is found in southern Florida (Heppner, 2003). | The adults are attracted to lights. | GNR [S2] | This species appears to be rare in North Carolina and part of a northern disjunction population. | ||
| Xylomoia chagnoni Reed Canary Grass Borer Moth MONA_number: 9433.00 | Our two records come from riparian habitats in the Mountains. | Larvae feed on Reed Canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea) (Wagner et al., 2011). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | GNR SNR [SU] | This is a northern species with our records representing what appears to be a disjunct population, possibly reaching our area along the New River/Ohio River drainage. Its host plant, however, is widespread in the Mountains and the moth should be looked for in areas further to the south. | |||
| Xylesthia n. sp. MONA_number: 317.96 | Hosts are unknown. | |||||||
| Xubida panalope Many-lined Grass-veneer MONA_number: 5500.00 | A small, cream-colored Crambid. The veins are marked with fine dark lines, with heavier dark streaks in the interspaces (Forbes, 1923); the streak opposite the cell is faint, however, compared to those in the other interspaces (Dyar, cited by Klots, 1970). Transverse lines are absent but there is a series of dark spots along the terminus. The discal spot is also dark but ringed with white. The hindwings are nearly white. Xubida linearella is similar in pattern and color but the veins in the interspaces beyond the cell are all similar in shading (Klots, 1970). Eoreuma densellus is also similar in size, color, and pattern but the veins are white and bounded by dark. | The majority of our records come from wet, open lakeshore or riparian habitats. | Larval host plants appear to be unknown. Klots (1970) states that many species in this group are borers in the soft stems of monocots. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | GNR S3S4 | |||
| Xubida linearella X-linear Grass-veneer MONA_number: 5499.00 | According to Klots (1970): In color and pattern it is not always easy to distinguish from the likewise common, widespread X. panalope, but its markings tend to be a grayer brown and wider and more diffuse; while panalope tends to have the intervenous dark line beyond the cell, in cell Mi, lighter than the adjacent intervenous dark lines. | Host plants are apparently unknown. | ||||||
| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
| Xestia smithii Smith's Dart MONA_number: 10944.00 | Larvae are polyphagous, with reported hosts including alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), strawberry (Fragaria), apple (Malus), passionflower (Passiflora), cherry (Prunus), dock (Rumex), elderberry (Sambucus), Viburnum, Viola, and grape (Vitis) (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] | |||||
| Xestia praevia Praevia Dart MONA_number: 10968.10 | This species is similar to Xestia elimata in its markings but has a darker gray ground color, which is often suffused with reddish (Lafontaine, 1998). The transverse lines can also be relatively obscure. It is also smaller and flies in the summer rather than the fall and early winter. For specimens observed in late summer, size is probably the most reliable way of distinguishing this species. | Larvae feed on a wide range of conifers, including fir (Abies), larch (Larix), spruce (Picea), pine (Pinus), and hemlock (Tsuga) (Wagner et al., 2011). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands | G4 SNR [S3S4] | ||||
| Xestia normanianus Norman's Dart MONA_number: 10943.00 | Larvae are polyphagous, with reported hosts including Sweet-fern (Comptonia peregrina), cherry (Prunus), meadowsweet (Spiraea), and blueberry (Vaccinium) (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] | |||||
| Xestia elimata Southern Variable Dart MONA_number: 10967.00 | Larvae feed on pines, including Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata), Longleaf Pine (P. palustris), Red Pine (P. resinosa), Pitch Pine (P. rigida), Loblolly Pine (P. taeda), and Virginia Pine (P. virginiana) (Wagner et al., 2011). Other reported hosts include Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and Red Spruce (Picea rubens) (Robinson et al., 2010). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S4S5] | |||||
| Xestia dolosa Greater Black-letter Dart MONA_number: 10942.10 | Fields, barrens, woodlands, forests, and other closed and open habitats (Wagner et al., 2011). In North Carolina, records come primarily from mesic forests in the Mountains and from a wider set of barrens and forests in the eastern part of the state. | Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of forbs, grasses, and low-growing woody plants (Wagner et al., 2011); records also exist from apple (Malus), currant (Ribes), and pear (Pyrus). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S4S5] | ||||
| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
| Xestia c-nigrum Lesser Black-letter Dart MONA_number: 10942.00 | Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of plants, including many cultivated species. Reported hosts include alfalfa, barley, blueberry, chokeberry, clover, corn, cranberry, dandelion, flax, goldenrod, grape, lettuce, maple, nettle, oats, pear, sunflower, tobacco, tomato, viburnum, and wheat (Crumb, 1932; Robinson et al., 2010). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S2S3] | |||||
| Xestia dilucida Dull Reddish Dart MONA_number: 10969.00 | Most of our records come from dry, rocky or sandy habitats but there are at least a few from low-lying flatwoods. | Larvae are stenophagous, feeding on blueberry (Vaccinium), huckleberry (Gaylussacia), and probably other heaths (Wagner et al., 2011). Robinson et al. (2010) also list larch (Larix) and spruce (Picea), but these records are likely the result of confusion with other species of Xestia. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S3S4] | ||||
| Xestia badicollis Northern Variable Dart MONA_number: 10968.00 | This northern species is similar in appearance to Xestia elimata but is smaller and has a more mottled, frosty appearance (Lafontaine, 1998). Xesia praevia is more similar in both size and markings but has a darker gray ground color or is flushed with reddish brown; it also flies in the summer rather than the fall and winter. For specimens observed in late fall, wing length measurements provide the most reliable way of distinguishing this species from the much more common X. elimata. | Larvae feed on conifers, including fir (Abies), larch (Larix), spruce (Picea), White Pine (Pinus strobus) and other pines, and hemlock (Tsuga) (Wagner, 2005). According to Lafontaine (1998), White Pine is its main host plant. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S1S2] | ||||
| Xenotemna pallorana Pallid Leafroller Moth MONA_number: 3693.00 | Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of plants. Reported hosts include Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), apple (Malus), asters, cherry (Prunus), clover (Trifolium), elm (Ulmus), goldenrod (Solidago), pine (Pinus), rose (Rosa), strawberry (Fragaria), and St. John's-wort (Hypericum) (Robinson et al., 2010). On BugGuide, MJ Hatfield has rearing records for Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba), and White Sweetclover (Melilotus albus). The host plants used in North Carolina are unknown. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | ||||||
| Xenolechia ontariensis MONA_number: 1878.00 | Reported hosts include oak (Quercus) and Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) (Seifert et al., 2021). | |||||||
| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
| Xenolechia aethiops None MONA_number: 1875.00 | Larvae reportedly feed on heaths (Erica spp.) (Eiseman, 2022). | |||||||
| Xanthotype urticaria False Crocus Geometer MONA_number: 6740.00 | North Carolina records come mainly from the Mountains where it has been found in high elevation hardwood forests, meadows, and bogs. In the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, it has been recorded primarily from riparian, lake, and pond shoreline habitats. | Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of woody and herbaceous plants but apparently not on conifers. Wagner et al. (2001) specifically list Chrysanthemum, Sweet-fern (Comptonia peregrina), dogwood (Cornus), Rhododendron, currant (Ribes), rose (Rosa), goldenrod (Solidago), meadowsweet (Spiraea), and blueberry (Vaccinium). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S3S4] | ||||
| Xanthotype sospeta Crocus Geometer MONA_number: 6743.00 | North Carolina records come primarily from the Mountains, particularly high elevation forests and cove forests but also from bogs and other herb-dominated habitats. | Polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of woody and herbaceous plants but apparently not on conifers. Wagner et al. (2001) specifically list maple (Acer), hickory (Carya), New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), Chrysanthemum, dogwood (Cornus), Gladiolus, mint (Mentha), cherry (Prunus), currant (Ribes), rose (Rosa), meadowsweet (Spiraea), American Basswood (Tilia americana), elm (Ulmus), blueberry (Vaccinium), and Viburnum. 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 S3S4 | ||||
| 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] | ||||
| Xanthorhoe packardata Packard's Carpet MONA_number: 7369.00 | Our records come from Northern Hardwoods and Cove Forests. | Host plants are apparently unknown for this species. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G4 SNR [S2S3] | ||||
| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
| Xanthorhoe new species near lacustrata MONA_number: 7390.01 | This is an undescribed species that is virtually identical to X. lacustrata and that was documented by Bo Sullivan in Ashe County. It is best identified by genitalia or barcoding, with the female genitalia being most distinctive. As of 2025, this species is currently known from three sites in western North Carolina and in nearby Tennessee. It is typically found above 4000' or slightly lower on north-facing slopes. In general it seems to be slightly larger and more brightly colored, but these features are not diagnostic (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.). | Host plants are unknown. | GNR SNR [SU] | |||||
| Xanthorhoe labradorensis Labrador Carpet MONA_number: 7368.00 | Most of our records come from high elevation forests and cove forests, but we also some from riparian habitats at lower elevations along the New River. | Larvae have been reported on Alyssum and Lobularia (Robinson et al., 2010), but these genera are not native to North America and are doubtfully established in North Carolina. Other members of the Brassicaceae seem more likely to be used here but host plants in general need to be determined for this species. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S1S3] | ||||
| Xanthorhoe iduata Broken-banded Carpet MONA_number: 7371.00 | The ground color is whitish gray, usually without any red or brown shading (Forbes, 1948). The median area is blackish and strongly contrasting with the ground color, especially towards the costa, often forming a roundish or squarish patch. The lines are regularly scalloped, including the subterminal, which is usually white. A pair of dark spots are located in the subterminal area just beyond the cell. The outer margin is shaded with dark gray. | Our records all come from Northern Hardwoods and Cove Forests. | Host plants are apparently unknown. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G4 SNR [S2S3] | |||
| Xanthorhoe ferrugata Red Twin-spot Moth MONA_number: 7388.00 | A double, black, subterminal spot is located along the outer margin opposite the cell; the postmedian line towards the costa is fine, double, and filled with white; the hindwing is not black or heavily bordered with black (Forbes, 1948 -- see key). In our other members of this genus, the subterminal spot is brown, or at most has only a few black scales, and the postmedian is not fine, white and double (the outer black line may be absent or diffuse rather than fine) | Mesic forests, woodlands, wooded swamps, and wet meadows (Wagner et al., 2001). Our records come from rich mesic and bottomland forests along the lower Roanoke River in the Coastal Plain. In the Mountains, they come from Northern Hardwoods, Cove Forests, and Riparian Forests. | Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on many species of forbs, including clover (Trifolium), dandelion (Taraxacum), Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea), knotweed (Polygonum), and pigweed (Amaranthus) (Wagner et al., 2001). | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | G5 SNR [S3S4] | |||
| Xanthophysa psychicalis Psychic Xanthophysa MONA_number: 4879.00 | The following is based in part on descriptions by Hulst (1886) and Forbes (1923). The head and thorax have a mixture of white and yellow patterning and the antenna is yellow. The forewing ground is rich yellow, with the basal third mottled to varying degrees with yellow and whitish coloration. A faint basal line is sometimes evident. The most prominent marks are two transverse white lines that include a wavy antemedial line and a postmedial line that is somewhat denticulate and outwardly bowed from the costa to just beyond the middle of the wing. Both lines are finely edged with dark dots and speckling on both margins. The fringe on fresh specimens is weakly two-toned with the basal portion fuscous and the outer half whitish or white with a central dark line. A broken terminal line is also usually evident that consists of a series of blackish dots. The hindwing is whitish with varying levels of light brown or grayish brown dusting, and a faint fuscous median band is usually evident. The fringe is similar in coloration and patterning to that of the forewing. | The preferred habitats are poorly documented. As of 2023, we have records from xeric habitats in the Sandhills and more mesic habitats in the Piedmont. | The host plants, if any, 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[S3-S4] | As of 2023 we have only five site records. More information is needed on the feeding ecology, preferred habitats, distribution and abundance of this species before we can accurately assess its conservation status. | |
| sciName | taxonomic_comments | id_comments | habitat | food | observation_methods | state_protection | NHP_ranks | status_comments |
| Xanthopastis regnatrix Spanish Moth MONA_number: 10640.00 | Reported hosts include spider-lily, fig, and Narcissus (Covell, 1984; Wagner, 2005). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded on spider-lily (Hymenocallis) and Amaryllis. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | GNR SNR [S1S2] | The naturally occurring host plants for this species -- Hymenocallis spp. -- are themselves rare in North Carolina | ||||
| Walshia [asymmetrica] MONA_number: 1615.10 | 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, which was once thought to be a single species, appears to contain a group of cryptic species (12 BINS currently recognized on BOLD). There are an undetermined number of undescribed species in the W. miscecolorella complex, including at least one that occurs in North Carolina, and that is given the informal name here of W. 'asymmetrica' due to its asymmetric genitalia. The following is a general description that applies to all of these cryptic species, including W. floridensis, W. similis, and members of the W. miscecolorella complex. The face and vertex are dark brown. The labial palp is recurved and brownish exteriorly. The antenna is brownish with a lighter tip, and has a pecten that consists of a single scale at the base of the first segment. The thorax and basal third of the forewing are dark brown, and the posterior edge of the dark brown area extends obliquely from the costa to the inner margin. It adjoins a broad lighter band at one third to one-half that runs roughly parallel to it from the costa to the inner margin. Beyond the light band there is a darker zone on the apical half. This area is darker than the median band, but lighter than the basal one-third. There are several patches of large raised scales, including a pair of dark patches at one-fifth. The first of these is just below the costa, while the second is just posterior to the first and between the fold and the dorsal margin. At about two-fifths there is a pair of light patches, including one that occurs from the costa to the fold, and a second smaller patch that is just posterior to this and between the fold and the dorsal margin. A final dark patch is often evident at about four-fifths near the middle of the wing. In addition to these prominent patches, there are six small patches that are evenly distributed from the tornus to the apex, and three or four similar patches along the costal margin from about three-fourths to the apex. Many of the patches may be missing in worn specimens. The cilia are fuscous to grayish. The hindwings are dark fuscous and the cilia slightly lighter. The abdomen is dark brown dorsally and pale buff ventrally. The legs are dark brown on the outer surface, shining buff on the inner surface, with light gray to white rings at the middle and apices of the tibiae. The tarsal segments are light gray apically. Stilbosis tesquella is similar, but has a light golden region on the head, thorax, and extreme base of the wing and a different pattern of raised patches. | Larval hosts are unknown. | Adults are attracted to lights. | GNR SU | ||||
| Walshia similis None MONA_number: 1619.00 | 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, which was once thought to be a single species, appears to contain a group of cryptic species (12 BINS currently recognized on BOLD). There are an undetermined number of undescribed species in the W. miscecolorella complex, including at least one that occurs in North Carolina. The following is a general description that applies to all of these cryptic species, including W. floridensis, W. similis, and members of the W. miscecolorella complex. The face and vertex are dark brown. The labial palp is recurved and brownish exteriorly. The antenna is brownish with a whitish tip, and has a pecten that consists of a single scale at the base of the first segment (absent on | The preferred habitats are unknown. | Members of this genus make stem galls, and mostly use legumes as hosts. The larvae have never been reported for this species, and the host plants are unknown. | The adults occasionally visit lights. | Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. | GNR SU | We have a series of historical records that were reported by Hodges (1978). This species has not been documented in the state since 1958. | |
| Walshia particornella None MONA_number: 1613.00 | The following is based on descriptions by Busck (1909a) and Hodges (1978). The head, labial palps, thorax, and forewings vary from very dark gray to dark bronzy brown. The antenna is nearly black except for the distal nine segments that are white or yellowish white. The forewing of fresh specimens has three small dull black dots of raised scales; one on the middle of the fold, one on the middle of the wing, and one at the end of the cell. The foreleg is also very dark gray to bronzy brown, with the apex of the fourth tarsal segment and entire fifth segment lighter. The midleg is similar, but with the apices of the tarsal segments pale colored. The hindleg is similar but slightly paler, with the apex of the tibia, the base and apex of the first tarsal segment, and the apices of the remaining segments pale. Hodges (1978) noted that fresh specimens have extremely dark forewings with raised scales, while worn specimens are much paler and lack the patches of raised scales. This is a drab species with few distinguishing characters. Busck (1909) remarked that the shiny forewings and white-tipped antennae distinguish it from similar forms. Hodges (1978) noted that W. elegans is very similar and can be separated from W. particornella by the pale apices of the tarsal segments and the genitalia. Also, the scale tufts of the forewings seem to be better developed than in W. particornella. To date, W. elegans has not been documented in North Carolina. | The habitats are poorly documented. | The larval hosts are undocumented. | The adults occasionally visit lights. | GNR SU | We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species to assess its conservation status. | ||
| Walshia new species nr. elegans MONA_number: 1614.10 | The hosts are unknown. | GNR SNR [S1] | ||||||