Moths of North Carolina
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Inga Members:
94 NC Records

Inga sparsiciliella (Clemens, 1864) - Black-marked Inga Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: OecophoridaeSubfamily: OecophorinaeTribe: OecophoriniP3 Number: 420029.00 MONA Number: 1034.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Leckie and Beadle, 2018Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Hodges (1974)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species is distinctive in having sharply contrasting black marks on a white or light yellowish white background. The detailed description that follows is primarily based on Clarke (1941). The ground color of the labial palp, the basal fourth of the antenna, and the head, thorax, and forewing is white to pale yellowish white. The basal half of the labial palp is outwardly blackish fuscous, and the outer three-fourths of the antenna is brownish fuscous. Prominent black or blackish fuscous marks occur at the base of the costa, at the inner angle adjoining the thorax, and along the costa at about two-thirds the wing length. The costal mark at two-thirds is the largest and extends to near the middle of the wing. A small discal spot is present at the basal third. An outwardly curved line of blackish-fuscous fine spots extends posteriorly from the outer edge of the large costal spot then loops back to the inner margin. The spots are sometimes united to form a nearly solid line, and may be poorly represented on some specimens. The whitish cilia have flecks of dark scales that are often concentrated near the base. The hindwing, cilia and legs are brownish fuscous.
Wingspan: 14-19 mm (Clarke, 1941)
Forewing Length: 6.0-8.5 mm (Hodges, 1974)
Adult Structural Features: Clarke (1941) provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history and ecology is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Inga sparsiciliella is found in the eastern US and the south Texas border region of Mexico. Populations occur along the East Coast from southeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland to southern Florida, and westward to Kentucky, Arkansas, southeastern Oklahoma, and eastern and central Texas.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

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