Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Oecophoridae Members:	Inga Members:	122 NC Records

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

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Gelechioidea

Family:
Oecophoridae

Subfamily:
Oecophorinae

Tribe:
Oecophorini

P3 Number:
59a0029

MONA Number:
1034.00

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Leckie and Beadle, 2018

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical 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.

Structural photos

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) Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Adults have been collected from February through October in different regions of the country, with a seasonal peak in July and August. Local populations are single-brooded in the North and possibly double-brooded in the southern portion of the range (Hodges, 1974). North Carolina populations appear to be single-brooded. As of 2020, our records extend from July through mid-September, with a seasonal peak of activity in July.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The larvae have never been discovered and the habitats are poorly documented. Many of our records are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods. Others include an old field, a pasture and forest interface, and a dry, upland forested slope.

Larval Host Plants: Despite being widespread and somewhat common in the eastern US, the hosts have never been discovered. This is the case for almost every Inga species in North America. Hodges (1974) noted that there is only one species where the hosts are known, and the larvae feed on the underground roots of two composites. It is uncertain if Inga sparsiciliella and other Inga do the same. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S4S5

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: This species occurs statewide and is seemingly secure.

Photo Gallery for Inga sparsiciliella - Black-marked Inga

104 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-09 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-07-02 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, David Cheng, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, David Bradley, Becky Watkins, David Cheng, Michelle Lotker, Tracy Feldman, et al. on 2025-06-28 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-06-20 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2024-08-30 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-26 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-14 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-08-13 Pamlico Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish on 2024-08-13 Pamlico Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Kevin Bischof on 2024-08-07 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-31 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-07-31 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-31 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin, Steve Hall, Carol Tingley, Tom Howard on 2024-07-27 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-27 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-26 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-07-26 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-26 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-15 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-15 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-07-12 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-07-09 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-07-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-07-03 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-06-30 Graham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-29 Chatham Co. Comment: