Moths of North Carolina

sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
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Acronicta increta Eclipsed Oak Dagger MONA_number: 9249.00	One of 74 species in this genus found in North America north of Mexico (Schmidt and Anweiler, 2020), 42 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. This species is placed in subgenus Lepitoreuma by Schmidt and Anweiler (2020), and in the Increta Species Group. Other members of this group in North Carolina include Acronicta albarufa, A. ovata, A. modica (=haesitata), A. immodica (=modica), A. exilis, and A. tristis.	A medium-sized dagger. The ground color varies from pale gray (form inclara) to dark gray with a greenish or olive cast (typical increta) (Forbes, 1954). In addition to having a dark bas...	Wagner (2005) lists barrens, woodlands, and forests as habitat. Our record come mainly from mesic rather than dry sites....	Larvae have been reported from chestnut (Castanea), oaks (Quercus), hazel (Corylus), and birch (Betula) (Wagner et al., 2011). In North Carolina, we have observed the speci...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S5]	...
Eudonia heterosalis McDunnough's Eudonia MONA_number: 4739.00		In this species the ground color of the forewing varies from medium gray to grayish white and is dusted and mottled with fuscous to blackish scales. The general effect is a somewhat variegated dull gr...	Many of our records come from semi-wooded residential areas, while most records from natural habitats are from bottomland and mesic hardwood forests. ...	The food resources that are used by this species are undocumented (Munroe,1972). The larvae presumably do not feed on the leaves of vascular plants and may possibly feed on mosses as seen in E. str...	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	Eudonia heterosalis is fairly common in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge, but more information is needed on its food resources and local abundance before we can fully assess its conservation status....
Ancylis burgessiana Oak Leaffolder Moth MONA_number: 3367.00	Ancylis burgessiana, A. fuscociliana, A. laciniana, A. mira and A. spiraeifoliana are members of a taxonomically challenging species complex. Gilligan et al. (2008) summarized the issues with this complex and concluded that the limits of the constituent taxa are too poorly understood to permit species level determinations. The original descriptions of the members were based on specimens that were assumed to use different host plants, but that has since proven to be unreliable. The forewing of all members of the complex has a prominent basal patch along the inner margin and a well defined, brown, median fascia that connects the costa to two, black, longitudinal dashes anterior to the ocellus. Traditionally, species such as A. burgessiana and A. laciniana were separated by the color of the dorsal patch, but that character is now considered to be too variable to be diagnostic. The genitalia associated with these different forms also are indistinguishable, so future progress in establishing species boundaries will probably have to rely on studies that are based on a long series of reared individuals, along with analyses of molecular data (Gilligan et al., 2008). It is possible that some of the members may ultimately be synonymized. Here, we have provisionally assigned specimens to the traditionally recognized species with the understanding that they are all members of a poorly resolved species complex.	This species typically has a black basal patch along the inner margin that is margined with whitish scales on the posterior and lateral margins. Note the white palps that contrast with the reddish-bro...	...	Reported hosts include hazelnut (Corylus) and Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) (Godfrey et al., 1987), oak (Quercus) and mountain-ash (Sorbus) (Prentice, 1965), and chestnut ...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.		...
Feralia comstocki Comstock's Sallow MONA_number: 10008.00	An isolated genus with 7 species worldwide, 1 palearctic, the other 6 nearctic, with 3 occurring in North Carolina.	Similar to the other two species of Feralia but flies later, barely overlapping the others in April. F. comstocki is usually a brighter green than either of the other two and lacks the black form foun...	Mesic montane forest with abundant Hemlock, including Cove Forests at mid elevations and Northern Hardwoods at higher elevations....	Larvae are reported to feed on a number of evergreens, including fir (Abies), hemlock (Tsuga), and spruce (Picea) (Forbes, 1954; Poole, 1995), but there are no specific feeding re...	Comes to light but no records from bait....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 [S3S4]	We have relatively few records for this species, probably due in part to its late winter flight period. To the extent that this species is dependent on Hemlock or Fraser Fir, it may be highly vulnerab...
Eufidonia convergaria Pine Powder Moth MONA_number: 6637.00	One of three species in this genus that occur in North America, two of which have been recorded in North Carolina.	Both of our species of Eufidonia are medium-small Geometrids with a ground color that ranges from powdery white to yellowish overlain with a variable amount of brown dusting. A black discal spot is p...	Our records come primarily from slopes and ridges rather than from cove and riparian forests where E. notataria primarily occurs....	Larvae are stenophagous, feeding on Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) and other species of pines (McGuffin, 1977; Wagner et al., 2001; Maier et al., 2011). White Pine is the main host plant ac...	Adults fly during the day (McGuffin, 1967) but also come to blacklights....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [SU]	The distribution and abundance of this moth in North Carolina are poorly known and may be somewhat confounded with that of the close look-alike, E. notataria. The fact that it feeds on White Pi...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Leucania inermis Unarmed Wainscot MONA_number: 10459.00	One of 30 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010; Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2015), 16 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Previously included in Subfamily Hadeninae but moved to the much expanded Noctuinae by Lafontaine and Schmidt. They also included it in Tribe Leucaniini along with Mythimna. Additionally, Forbes (1936) grouped inermis with L. pseudargyria, ursula, calidior -- all found in North Carolina -- and the Floridian pilipalpis in the Pseudargyria Complex.	A large Wainscot. The forewings are a a pale luteous, with darker gray areas located between the orbicular and reniform, before the orbicular, and in a triangular area located in the lower half of the...	Our records come from a wide range of habitats, ranging from dune grasslands to savannas to woodlands and forests. Both wet and dry habitats are included....	Host plants are poorly documented, but members of this genus feed on graminoids (Wagner et al., 2011)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S3S4]	...
Eufidonia notataria Powder Moth MONA_number: 6638.00	One of three species in this genus that occur in North America, two of which have been recorded in North Carolina.	Both of our species of Eufidonia are medium-small Geometrids with a ground color that ranges from powdery white to yellowish overlain with a variable amount of brown dusting. A black discal spot is p...	Most of our records come from mesic stands of mixed hemlocks and hardwoods below the Spruce-Fir zone, including cove and riparian forests. This suggests that Hemlocks is being used as the main host in...	Oligophagous, feeding on a variety of coniferous species. McGuffin (1977) and Maier et al. (2011) list spruce (Picea), fir (Abies), hemlock (Tsuga), and larch (Larix). Wagn...	Adults fly during the day (McGuffin, 1967) but also come to blacklights. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. Due to the threats to two of its most important host plants, we recommend that this species be added to the NHP Watch List.	G5 SNR [S2S3]	There are relatively few records for this species in North Carolina, all from the mountains, and it is likely to be significantly threatened by the decline of both Fraser Fir and Eastern Hemlocks due ...
Cydia marita None MONA_number: 3448.20	Cydia is a large genus with over 200 described species that occur worldwide, and with around 50 species in North America. Several species are important economic pests that often feed on fruits and seeds.	The head, palps, antennae and thorax are predominantly gray. The forewing ground color tends to be bicolored, with gray or brownish-gray on the basal half that phases into orange or orangish-brown on ...	Local populations are generally associated with pine or mixed pine-hardwood forests (Brown and Jaeger, 2014)....	The hosts are undocumented, but pines are the suspected hosts (Brown and Jaeger, 2014)....	The adults are attracted to lights....		GNR S4S5	This species can be locally common in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain and shows no evidence of widespread population declines. ...
Gretchena concubitana None MONA_number: 3260.00	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 is one of several species of Gretchena that is best identified using genitalia. The following description is based in part on that of Heinrich (1923), but likely does not capture the full ...	Local populations are associated with hardwood forests. ...	The holotype was reared from a hickory (Carya sp.; Heinrich, 1923), which is the only reported host that we are aware of as of 2024....	The adults are attracted to lights. Much more information is needed on the host plants and larval life history. We recommend looking for leaf shelters on the undersides of hickory leaflets and rearing...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR[S1S3]	This appears to be a relatively rare species in North Carolina, but more information is needed on its distribution, abundance and habitat preferences before we can accurately assess its conservation s...
Holcocera immaculella None MONA_number: 1221.00	The genus Holcocera is represented by about 70 species worldwide, with its center of diversity in the New World tropics. There are many undescribed species, including some in the US. A major taxonomic revision of North American forms is needed for this and many other members of the subfamily Blastobasinae.	This is a rather plain species that has forewings that are unmarked. The brownish head region contrasts with the lighter forewings. Note the two-toned thorax that is darker anteriorly. The following d...	The larvae feed on conifer seeds, and presumably rely on Eastern White Pine and other pines in North Carolina. ...	The larvae feed on the seeds and cones of conifers, including pines and spruces. The documented hosts (Robinson et al., 2010) include Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Black Spruce (Picea...	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 [S4]	We have a few scattered records from throughout the state. More detailed information is needed on the distribution, abundance, and habitat use before we can assess the conservation status of this spec...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Pseudexentera faracana None MONA_number: 3253.00		...	...	Larvae reportedly feed on chestnuts (Castanea spp.) (Miller, 1986; Brown et al., 2008)....	...		GNR SU	We have only one record for North Carolina as of 2023. ...
Agnorisma badinodis Pale-banded Dart MONA_number: 10955.00		The head, thorax, and ground of the forewings range in color from gray to light brown. The antemedian is pale with some dark shading on its medial side. In this species, the antemedian slants rearward...	Habitats include forests, fields, and wastelands (Wagner et al., 2011)...	Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of forbs, shrubs, and small trees, including Viburnum (Wagner et al., 2011). Crumb (1956) specifically lists tobacco, dock (Rumex), chic...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]	...
Mocis texana Texas Mocis MONA_number: 8745.00		The ground is smooth rather than mottled; the median line and subreniform are obsolete; the postmedian runs straight across the wing to the inner margin (Forbes, 1954)...	Our records come from Coastal Plain savannas, sand ridges, and maritime dunes, similar to our other species of Mocis, but also from successional and semi-natural grasslands over the rest of the...	Larvae feed on grasses, including panicgrass (Panicum), bluestem (Andropogon), and cordgrass (Spartina) (Wagner et al., 2011)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S5]	...
Agonopterix hyperella None MONA_number: 856.00	Agonopterix is a large holarctic genus with more than 125 species, with most occurring in the Palearctic Region. Currently, there are 47 recognized species in North America. Our species are largely confined to the western mountains.	The following is based on the descriptions by Ely (1910) and Clarke (1941). The labial palps are pale yellowish to creamy white and heavily overlaid with fuscous exteriorly. The third segment has a br...	Very little is known about the habitat requirement. The known hosts occur in both dry forested slopes and in more open, disturbed habitats such as roadsides, fields, and woodland borders....	Ely (1910) found larvae on Shrubby St. John's-wort (Hypericum prolificum) and Common St. John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum). Other Hypericum species are probably also used. ...	The adults have only occasionally been seen at lights. We recommend searching for the larvae on Hypericum during May and June. ...		GNR [S1-S3]	We have only two records as of 2025, with one being a historical record from Highlands from 1958. This species appears to be rare in North Carolina, but more information is needed on its distribution,...
Platynota rostrana Omnivorous Platynota MONA_number: 3745.00		The following description is based primarily on that of Powell and Brown (2012). The males and females are sexually dimorphic. The palps, heads, and thorax of the females vary from grayish to reddish ...	Platynota rostrana has tropical and subtropical affinities and is commonly found in the US in coastal habitats that are buffered from extreme cold. Most of our records are from sandy, xeric hab...	The larvae are polyphagous and feed on a wide variety of tropical, subtropical, and temperate species, including agricultural crops (Meyrick MS, 1938; Bruner et al., 1975; MacKay, 1962; Heppner, 2007;...	The adults are attracted to lights and have been reared from host plants....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S2S4	This species can be locally common, but is generally uncommon within the state. We need additional information on preferred habitats, host use, distribution and abundance before we can accurately asse...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Arogalea cristifasciella White Stripe-backed Moth MONA_number: 1851.00	Arogalea is a small genus of New World moths with only seven recognized species. Most have subtropical and tropical affinities, and only one is found in the eastern US.	This is a distinctive small white moth with a bold fascia that projects forward from the costa towards the dorsal margin. The following description is primarily based on the description by Forbes (192...	Local populations depend on oaks and are found in a variety of settings with oak trees. These include semi-wooded residential neighborhoods, as well as oak-hickory forests, mixed pine-hardwood forest...	The larvae specialize on oaks and use a variety of species (Robinson et al., 2010; Marquis et al. 2019). The documented hosts include White Oak (Quercus alba), Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea),...	The adults are attracted to lights, and the colorful larvae can be found between layered oak leaves that are tied together. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S4S5	This is a common and widespread species that appears to be relatively secure in North Carolina. ...
Sereda tautana Speckled Sereda MONA_number: 3425.00		The following description is based in part from that of Forbes (1923). The head, palps, and antennae are dark gray to brown. The forewing has a prominent outwardly angled basal patch that covers half ...	Our records come primarily from wet to mesic stands of oak-hickory forests....	Larvae reportedly feed on oaks (Prentice, 1966; Brown et al., 2008; Robinson et al., 2010), including Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) and Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea)....	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	This species appears to be uncommon but widespread within the state. ...
Ptichodis vinculum Black-tipped Ptichodis MONA_number: 8749.00	A wholly American genus containing 12 species from North and South America. As currently constructed the genus is polyphyletic and some species will eventually be moved elsewhere. There are 7 species found in North America and 3 in North Carolina.	Somewhat larger and grayer than Ptichodis herbarum, but otherwise similar in its possession of strongly contrasting antemedian and postmedian lines, both of which are yellow on the basal side and outw...	The Piedmont habitats where this species was historically recorded are unknown. Both of our recent specimens were collected in a strip of maritime forest....	Larval host are unknown, but according to Wagner et al.(2011), most members of this tribe feed on grasses and/or legumes rather than on woody species....	Taken in light traps; response to bait is unknown....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [SU]	We have too few records for this species to be certain about its residency status. Both of the recent records come from a site that had been well surveyed in the past but without this species having ...
Acronicta hasta Speared Dagger MONA_number: 9229.00	One of 74 species in this genus found in North America north of Mexico (Schmidt and Anweiler, 2020), 42 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. This species is placed in subgenus Agriopodes by Schmidt and Anweiler, and in the Hasta Species Group. Other members of this group in North Carolina include Acronicta hamamelis, A. lithospila, A. innotata, A. betulae, A. radcliffei, A. interrupta, A. laetifica, A. spingigera, A. superans, A. morula, and A. lobeliae.	This species is similar in pattern to other members of this group but has a generally darker gray ground color, thicker and more diffuse basal and subtornal dashes, and darker gray filling of the orbi...	According to Wagner (2005), habitats include fields, power line rights-of-way, and woodlands. Our records come mainly from upland habitats, but we also have them from the barrier islands, Coastal Plai...	Larvae are stenophagous, feeding on Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) and other species of Prunus (Wagner et al., 2011). In North Carolina, we have only observed the species feeding on Blac...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S5]	...
Coleophora kalmiella None MONA_number: 1273.00	Coleophora kalmiella specializes on species of Kalmia. Eiseman (2021) suspected that there may be two species that are miners of Kalmia, with one an undescribed species. Here, we treat this species as being a member of the North Carolina fauna with the understanding that it may be a member of an unresolved species complex.	An adult that was reared by Eiseman (2021) from Kalmia angustifolia was uniformly light brown, with brown and white annulations on the antennae. Other adults that he reared from K. latifolia...	Local populations are generally associated with Kalmia thickets. ...	The larvae specialize on Kalmia species (Eiseman, 2022). The only known hosts are Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) and Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). As of 2025, we have fo...	The adults resemble several other Coleophora species and cannot be reliably identified from images unless they are reared. We recommend searching Mountain Laurel for the mines and larvae. ...		GNR SNR [S1S3]	As of 2025 we have one site record each from the Piedmont and the Blue Ridge. Additional information is needed on the distribution and abundance of this species in North Carolina before we can assess ...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Zale lunifera Bold-based Zale MONA_number: 8713.00	One of 39 species in this genus that occur north of Mexico, 23 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Zale lunifera was recently separated from Z. intenta, a close sibling species, by Schmidt (2010).	An umber to blackish, spring-flying Zale, distinguished by its heavy vertical to oblique striations. A small basal area of light brown is usually present, followed by a blackish antemedial area...	In the Northeast, Zale lunifera is believed to be highly confined to sandy barrens located close to the coast, where they are associated with populations of Scrub Oak; all other records are ass...	Larvae are stenophagous, reported to feed on Scrub Oak (Quercus ilicifolia) in the Northeast and on Blackjack Oak (Q. marilandica) and other scrub oaks in the South (Wagner et al., 2011)...	Uncertain...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G3G4 SNR [S2S3]	Too little is currently known about the distribution, population sizes and trends, and habitat associations to estimate the conservation status of this species....
Acronicta brumosa Charred Dagger MONA_number: 9255.00	One of 74 species in this genus found in North America north of Mexico (Schmidt and Anweiler, 2020), 42 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Placed in subgenus Lepitoreuma by Schmidt and Anweiler (2020), which contains nine species in North Carolina, and further joined by Acronicta afflicta to form the Afflicta Species Group.	The ground color of the forewings is charcoal- to bluish-gray with no brownish or greenish shading (Forbes, 1954; Schmidt and Anweiler, 2020). A black basal dash is present and the antemedian line is ...	Habitats include xeric oak woodlands, barrens, and savannas (Wagner et al., 2011). The vast majority of our records come from xeric sand ridges but we also have records from monadnocks and montane rid...	Larvae have been observed feeding on Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) and Blackjack Oak (Q. marilandica) in North Carolina. Heppner (2003) lists a variety of other hosts, including birch, hic...	Comes fairly well to blacklights but we do not have any records from bait....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [S3S4]	Although somewhat specialized, this species occupies habitats that are still fairly widely distributed, particularly in the Fall-line Sandhills and Outer Coastal Plain. Consequently, it is not a high ...
Sciota subcaesiella Locust Leafroller Moth MONA_number: 5796.00		The hindwings of subcaesiella are much lighter almost hyaline (J.B. Sullivan, pers. obs.)...	...	Larvae feed on woody legumes (Prentice, 1966; Robinson et al., 2010). Reported hosts include Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), Bristly Locust (Robinia hispida), Black Locust (R. p...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4	...
Euzophera semifuneralis American Plum Borer Moth MONA_number: 5995.00		The forewings are divided into three main areas by the contrasting white and black antemdian and postmedian lines. The antemedian and postmedian areas largely shaded with dull red but in this species...	...	Larvae are reportedly highly polyphagous. Among the hosts listed by Heppner (2007) are Pecan (Carya illinoinensis), American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), ash (Fraxinus), waln...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.		...
Catastega aceriella Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer Moth MONA_number: 3334.00	The genus Catastega was originally established based solely on the larval habit of forming funnel-like feeding shelters. The genus was later treated as a synonym of Epinotia before being resurrected by Brown (1986) based on genitalic differences.	The forewing has a whitish-gray ground color with darker grayish-brown to brownish-black markings. The most prominent mark is a sub-basal transverse band that extends from the middle of the wing to th...	In North Carolina, this species is strongly associated with rich montane forests that support Sugar Maple and Red Maple. Most of our records are from mid- to higher elevational sites. ...	Larvae appear to feed primarily on Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) in many areas of the range (Grehan et al., 1995), but also use Red Maple (A. rubrum) and Mountain Maple (A. spicatum	Local populations can be easily documented by searching for the distinctive tentiform shelters with funnelform feeding structures. The two Catastega species in the eastern US both produce these...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR [S4]	This species can be regularly encountered at mid- to higher elevational forests with Sugar Maple and Red Maple and appears to be secure within the state. ...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Eucosma umbrastriana Smoky-striped Eucosma MONA_number: 2913.00	Eucosma umbrastriana is a member of the radiatana species group of Wright and Gilligan (2015). This group includes a complex of 9-13 species that have been difficult to resolve due to their overall external appearances, suspected sexual dimorphism in forewing coloration and patterning in some species, and a scarcity of well-defined diagnostic features in the genitalia. Wright and Gilligan (2015) recognized only nine species in North America and relegated four previously recognized species to synonymy.	The following is based in part on Kearfott's (1907) original description. The palps are gray and the head varies from being gray in females to more yellowish brown in males. The antenna is light brown...	Our records are mostly from wooded or semi-wooded habitats. ...	Lam et al. (2011) list a host record for goldenrod (Solidago sp.), but we are uncertain of the literature source for this record. ...	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]	We currently do not have sufficient information on host use, habitat requirements, distribution, and abundance to accurately assess the conservation status of this species within the state. ...
Baileya ophthalmica Eyed Baileya MONA_number: 8970.00		...	Our records come primarily from wet-mesic forests but there are also some from drier ridges and summits....	Larvae feed on American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), American Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), American Hazelnut (Corylus americana), and Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta<...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]	...
Kocakina fidelis Intractable Quaker MONA_number: 10502.00	A single species genus restricted to eastern North America and found across North Carolina.	A medium sized, brown, spring-flying moth, this species is readily identified by the series of black dots (usually 3) in the fold of the forewing. Once placed in Orthodes (Forbes, 1954), as were a hos...	All of our records come from hardwood-dominated forests; no records come from Longleaf Pine, Peatland, or Maritime Forests, all of which have been extensively sampled in North Carolina. Both bottomlan...	Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of woody plants (Wagner, 2005). In North Carolina, we have observed larvae feeding on American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), Mockernut Hickory (	Adults come to light but the infrequency may be due to weak attraction. Wagner et al (2011) indicate adults do not come to bait but can be found at spring flowers....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]	Although we have relatively few records for this species, that is most likely due to its early spring flight. It feeds on a wide range of common host plants and has been found in a variety of forest h...
Amolita obliqua Oblique Grass Moth MONA_number: 9819.00	The genus Amolita is currently placed in the Erebidae in the tribe Ophiusini together with such dissimilar genera as Zale, Ophisma and Metria. Previously it was thought to be near Metalectra and it likely will be moved again. The genus consists of 12 described species from the New World, five are known from the U.S. and three are found in North Carolina. However, the uncertainty surrounding the generic placement descends to the species level as well since many of our species appear to be complexes of multiple species.	Amolita obliqua is a medium-small, pale cream Erebid with two oblique lines in the outer part of the forewing. The head, thorax, and ground color of the forewings is yellowish cream (Smith, 190...	Our records for Amolita obliqua come from a wide variety of wetland habitats, including swamp forests and bottomlands; wet pine savannas and sandhill seeps; and shallow impoundments, including ...	The Florida specimen described by Franclemont was reported as feeding on grass, but it is not clear if it was reared in captivity or found in the wild (Forbes, 1954). Species of graminoids are the mor...	Adults readily come to light and can be flushed from wet savannas and other sedge-filled sites during the day....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]	Amolita obliqua appears to be somewhat more specialized in its habitats than A. fessa, but far less so than A. roseola, and occupies a much wider range in the state. Consequently,...
Gelechia albisparsella None MONA_number: 1929.00		This is a small brown moth with a recurved labial palp and very few markings. The following is based in part on the description by Chambers (1872, p. 146). The head, thorax, antenna, upper abdomen, an...	This species appears to specialize on the American Sycamore, which is common along streambanks and in alluvial forests throughout the state. ...	The only known host is American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) (Robinson et al., 2010)....	The adults are attracted to lights. Additional information is needed on the larval ecology and phenology of North Carolina populations, so we encourage naturalists to find larvae and rear adults. ...		GNR S1S3	Despite the widespread occurrence of American Sycamore in North Carolina, we have only five county records for this species as of 2023. Additional information is needed on its distribution and abundan...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Caloptilia bimaculatella Maple Caloptilia MONA_number: 595.00	Caloptilia is a large genus with nearly 300 described species; 64 species have been described in North America north of Mexico. The larvae begin as leaf-mining sap-feeders, but the latter instars usually exit the mines and feed within a conical roll that begins at the leaf apex or at the tip of a leaf lobe.	The forewing ground color, the top of the head, and the top of the thorax are purplish to brown. The forewing has two golden, rounded triangles (costal patches) that often touch or nearly touch, and t...	Caloptilia bimaculatella uses maples as host species and is primarily found in habitats with Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sugar Maple (A. saccharum)x and Silver Maple (Acer sacchar...	Conical leaf rolls with larvae have been found on several species of maples in the eastern US, including Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sugar Maple (A. saccharum), and Silver Maple (A. sacc...	The adults are attracted to UV lights. Searching for larvae in the rolled leaf tips of maples may prove to be a productive way to document local populations. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S4S5	...
Bondia crescentella Crescent-marked Bondia MONA_number: 2319.00		...	...	The hosts are apparently undocumented....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]	...
Pandemis limitata Three-lined Leafroller Moth MONA_number: 3594.00	The genus Pandemis includes around 67 described species worldwide, including four native and two introduced species in North America. Our four native species are very closely related and their status as being valid species has been questioned. Recent molecular and phylogenetic studies by Dombroskie and Sperling (2012) provide support for continuing to recognize all four lineages as species. We have only two species in North Carolina that are easily distinguished by both maculation and genitalia.	The following is mostly based on the description by Freeman (1958) and Robinson (1869). The head, palps, antennae, and thorax are light reddish brown. The ground color of the forewing is light reddish...	Local populations are typically associated with mesic hardwood forests or mixed pine-conifer forests. They can also be found along woodland edges, in orchards and in semi-wooded residential neighborho...	Much like P. lamprosana, the larvae are polyphagous and feed on a taxonomically diverse group of deciduous trees and shrubs (Freeman, 1958; Schaffner, 1959; Gilligan and Epstein, 2014; Prentice...	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 is common in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge and appears to be secure within the state. ...
Microtheoris ophionalis Yellow-veined Moth MONA_number: 4796.00		This is a small, distinctive moth that has brick-red to brownish-red coloration on the head, thorax and ground of the forewing, along with prominent palps that project forward. The forewing has a curv...	Populations in North Carolina are generally found in sandy, xeric communities. ...	Despite being very widespread and common, the feeding ecology and host plants of this species (if any) are undocumented. ...	The adults are attracted to lights and are occasionally seen during the day. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S2S4	This species appears to reach its northern limits along the Atlantic Coast states in North Carolina, where it appears to be uncommon. ...
Zale buchholzi Buchholz's Zale MONA_number: 8706.00	One of 39 species in this genus that occur north of Mexico, 23 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. An almost identical undescribed species has also been found in North Carolina; the two are distinguished primarily by genitalic features and different flight dates.	Buchholzi (and the undescribed species) is the most plainly marked species in the group, with a dull brown ground color covering the entire wing with none of the contrasting light and dark zones shown...	Most of our records come from Longleaf Pine habitats. While Pond Pine (P. serotina) is also probably present at many of these sites -- associated with peatlands that usually closely adjoin Long...	Larvae are probably stenophagous, feeding on a narrow range of hard pines. Wagner et al. (2011) report it feeding on Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) and Pond Pine (P. serotina) in New Jersey, ...	Appears to come moderately well to blacklights, with up to ten having been caught in a single trap. Probably comes well to bait, like other Zale....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S3S4]	Although a uncommonly collected species in North Carolina, too little is known about the distribution and habitat affinities of buchholzi to estimate its conservation needs....
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Zale intenta Intent Zale MONA_number: 8713.10	One of 39 species in this genus that occur north of Mexico, 23 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Zale intenta was recently separated from Z. lunifera, a close sibling species, by Schmidt (2010).	...	In the Northeast, Zale lunifera is believed to be highly confined to sandy barrens located close to the coast, where they are associated with populations of Scrub Oak (Quercus ilicifolia...	Wagner et al. (2011) reported that cherry (Prunus spp.) - especially Black Cherry (P. serotina) and plums - are the main host plants, although at least one adult has been reared by Dale ...	Appears to come moderately well to blacklights, with large numbers of individuals occasionally being collected in single traps. Like other Zale species, it probably also comes well to bait....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S3S4]	Probably is a secure species in North Carolina but more information is needed on its distribution and habitat associations before its conservation needs can be estimated....
Zale intenta/lunifera MONA_number: 8718.05		...	...		...			...
Euchlaena marginaria Ochre Euchlaena MONA_number: 6734.00	One of sixteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Pohl et al., 2016), twelve of which have been recorded in North Carolina	Similar to Euchlaena deductaria but the wings are light cream or clay colored and the outer third of the wings are either darker than the rest of the wing or are clay-colored rather than luteous (Forb...	...	Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on many woody species. Wagner et al. (2001) specifically mention alder (Alnus), ash (Fraxinus), basswood (Tilia), birch (Betula), dogwood (<...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S2S3]	...
Renia salusalis Dotted Renia MONA_number: 8378.00		The head, palps, thorax, and ground color of the forewings range from pale luteous to buff or leather-colored, with the females often brighter or redder than the males (Smith, 1895; Forbes, 1954). The...	This species is associated with mesic to dry forests (Wagner et al., 2011). Our records come from sites that meet that general description but fall primarily into just a few types: maritime forests; p...	Feeding preferences are not well documented but larvae are believed to feed on dead leaves and other 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 [S3S4]	...
Eupithecia jejunata Swift Pug Moth MONA_number: 7486.00		"A small, insignificant species" (McDunnough, 1949). The forewings are short and broad, with a pointed apex (McDunnough; Rindge, 1985). The ground color of both pairs of wings is a general smoky gray....	Our records are all associated with fairly xeric oak woodlands. Along the coast, several records come from maritime forests or scrub; in the Fall-line Sandhills from fairly xeric barrens; and from the...	The early stages and food plants are unknown (Rindge, 1985)....	...	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
Eupithecia swettii None MONA_number: 7530.00		The forewings are elongate, more than twice as long as wide, but triangular in shape with an oblique outer margin (Forbes, 1948); the are pointed apically and have a checkered fringe (McDunnough, 1949...	...	Host plants are poorly documented, but there are BugGuide records for larvae on Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia) and Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua) (George Smiley), as well as an oak...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S3S4]	...
Melanolophia signataria Signate Melanolophia MONA_number: 6621.00		A medium-sized, brown Geometrid that is very similar to Melanolophia canadaria. "Usually distinguished by its smoother look, more complete and less wavy markings and brown tint" (Forbes, 1948)....	Our records come from a wide range of forests, from maritime forests to northern hardwoods....	Larvae have been recorded on a wide range of tree species, including both conifers and hardwoods. Covell (1984) specifically lists fir (Abies), maple (Acer), alder (Alnus), birch ...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S3S5]	...
Zale helata Brown-spotted Zale MONA_number: 8704.00	One of 39 species in this genus that occur north of Mexico, 23 of which have been recorded in North Carolina	This species is one of the easier ones to identify in the pine-feeding group. It ranges from bright brown to grayish brown with a prominent dark color preceding the antemedian line and filling in its ...	North Carolina records appear to come from the entire spectrum of pine-containing habitats, including maritime forests, peatlands, wet Longleaf savannas and xeric sandhills, dry Piedmont and Mountain ...	Larvae are oligophagous, feeding on a range of pines, including both soft and hard pines; also feeding occasionally on larch (Larix spp.) (Forbes, 1954; Wagner et al., 2011). Reported hosts inc...	Zale helata may be poorly attracted to lights, which, along with its relatively early flight period, could be a factor explaining the scarcity of records in North Carolina. Bait is probably a ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 SNR [S3S4]	Although a uncommonly collected species in North Carolina, too little is known about the distribution and habitat affinities of helata to estimate its conservation needs....
Asaphocrita aphidiella None MONA_number: 1171.00	The genus Asaphocrita is yet another taxonomically challenging group of small moths in the subfamily Blastobasinae. Asaphocrita aphidiella as recognized here is a member of what appears to be a cryptic species complex (BOLD), with at least two of the members present in North Carolina. Until systematic studies are completed, we have elected to treat these forms as a single species.	The following is based in part on the description by Walsingham (1907). The head, central region of the thorax, and tegulae are copper-colored and may have a faint iridescent coppery-greenish luster....	The preferred habitat is poorly documented. Mant of our records are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods. ...	The hosts are undocumented. ...	The adults are attracted to lights and can be common during their brief flight period during May and June. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SNR [S2S3]	This species is locally common in the mountains, but more information is needed on its habitat requirements and distribution before we can assess its conservation status. ...
Eupithecia palpata Small Pine Looper Moth MONA_number: 7449.00		...	Pine barrens, woodlands, forests, and pine plantations (Wagner et al., 2001). Our records come from Spruce-Fir Forests, other high elevation forest, and cove forests ....	Reported hosts include firs (Abies), pines (Pinus), larches (Larix), and spruce (Picea) (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]	...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Cladara limitaria Mottled Gray Carpet MONA_number: 7637.00	This genus currently includes two species that are found in North America, with both occurring in North Carolina. Cladara anguilineata is a previously described species that has been a source of confusion with C. limitaria since it is very similar in external morphology. Recent studies indicate that the mtDNA variation and genitalic morphology of C. anguilineata is indistinguishable from that of C. limitaria, and it has since been considered to be a color form and junior synonym of C. limitaria.	Cladara limitaria has a highly variable wing pattern that consists of varying amounts of green, black and whitish patterning, along with brown or blackish dusting. Individuals can range from be...	Local populations are generally found in forests where conifers are well represented. ...	Larvae reportedly feed on a variety of conifers, including firs (Abies), hemlocks (Tsuga), larches (Larix), pines (Pinus), and spruces (Picea) (Wagner et al., 2001)....	The species comes readily to lights but not to baits....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S4S5]	Found here and there usually as singletons in the Coastal Plain. In the mountains it can be quite common and often flying on cold nights when few other species are active....
Cleora projecta Projecta Gray MONA_number: 6595.00	This genus occurs over much of the world (Rindge, 1972). There are two species in North America and both occur in North Carolina	Moderately long-winged and similar in pattern and coloration to other Geometrids loosely termed the Grays. Usually easy to distinguish by its strong, black, and double-lined antemedian and by a white...	All of our records for this species come from areas where peatland shrubs are present or located nearby. These come from peatland habitats themselves, including Pocosins, Pond Pine Woodlands, and sta...	Rindge (1972) lists Sweet-gale (Myrica gale) as the host plant but Wagner et al. (2001) also include cherry (Prunus) and oak (Quercus), which they list for C. sublunaria as...	Adults readily come to lights but not to bait....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [S2S3]	This species appears to be far more of a habitat specialist than Cleora sublunaria, being highly restricted to peatlands and other areas where peatland shrubs occur. Currently such habitats ar...
Cochylichroa glaucofuscana MONA_number: 3859.00		...	...		...			...
Panopoda repanda Orange Panopoda MONA_number: 8589.00		...	The majority of our records come from barrier islands, with another large group coming from Coastal Fringe Sandhill communities on the adjoining portions of the mainland. We also have a record from x...	Larvae feed on Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) (Wagner et al., 2011), which has been confirmed as the host species in North Carolina....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 SNR [S3S4]	...
Argyrostrotis erasa Erasa Chocolate Moth MONA_number: 8761.00	One of six species in this genus, all of which occur in central and eastern North America, including North Carolina (Sullivan and Lafontaine, 2011).	The ground color is chocolate to umber brown. The antemedial and postmedial lines are usually evident and darker brown. The antemdial line is usually scalloped and the postmedial is strongly dentate. ...	Our records for this species come from a wide range of Coastal Plain wetlands, including Pocosin and Pond Pine Woodlands, Longleaf Pine Savannas and Flatwoods, Non-riverine Swamp Forests, Coastal Plai...	Larvae have been recorded on Titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) (Wagner et al., 2011). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina....	This species is often flushed during the day in coastal savanna habitats or along the edges of pocosins. Comes well to blacklights....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 SNR [S4]	...