Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Oecophoridae Members:	Decantha Members:	33 NC Records

Decantha stecia Hodges, 1974 - Small Decantha

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Gelechioidea

Family:
Oecophoridae

Subfamily:
Oecophorinae

Tribe:
Oecophorini

P3 Number:
59a0038

MONA Number:
1043.00

Comments: Decantha is a small genus with a largely holarctic distribution. There are currently seven recognized species, including four in North American.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Leckie and Beadle, 2018

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

Technical Description, Adults: Hodges (1974)

Adult Markings: D. stecia has external markings that are very similar to those of D. boreasella, but is smaller (forewing length = 4.0-6.5 mm for D. boreasella versus 3.0-3.5 mm for D. stecia), has a dark brown thorax (light golden in D. boreasella), and has less dark pigmentation on the dorsal half of the wing tip. The following detailed description is based in part on the description by Hodges (1974). The head is mainly shining brown, and the frons has white scales medially. The first segment and base of the second segment of the labial palp are mainly dark gray, while the distal half of the second segment is mainly white with scattered dark-gray scales. The third segment is mainly white with a complete gray ring at the base and an incomplete one at two-thirds the length. The dorsal surface of the scape of the antenna is mainly dark brown with an incomplete white line running from the base to the apex on the anterior margin. The shaft has alternating white and dark brown scale rows. The thorax is dark brown and adjoins a basal band on the forewing that is concolorous and faintly white margined on the posterior margin. The remainder of the wing consists of a reticulated pattern of dark brown marks on a golden background. There are three dark marks on the costa that include a triangular mark at about one-third the wing length, a more squarish costal mark at about two-thirds, and a terminal costal mark near the apex. The dorsal margin has a somewhat rectangular mark at about one-half and a small patch of dark brown scale at the tornus that is often continuous with the second costal mark. The dark marks have white margins on one or both sides, and are interconnected by a line of white and/or black scales to form a reticulated pattern. The coxa of the foreleg is mainly yellowish gray, the femur slightly darker, and the tibia dark brown with a few white scales at the base, middle and apex. The tarsus is dark brown with the apex of the first, second and all of fifth segment white. The midleg is similar, but the pale areas on the tibia and tarsus are more extensive. The hindleg is mainly shining yellowish gray to darker gray.

Forewing Length: 3.0-3.5 mm

Adult Structural Features: Hodges (1974) has a description of the male genitalia.

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: The life history and ecology of the larvae are undocumented.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Decantha stecia ranges from Vermont and Massachusetts southward to central Florida and the Gulf Coast, and westward to Kentucky, Arkansas, and eastern Texas. As of 2023, we have scattered records ranging from the mountains to the coast, but with no records so far from higher elevations.

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 recorded from April through October in different areas of the country, with a strong seasonal peak during July and August. As of 2023, our records extend from late May to mid-August, with a peak in activity in June and July. Local populations in North Carolina are univoltine.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The habitat is largely unknown. Wagner et al. (2003) found this species in pitch pine-scrub oak barrens in New England and surmised that it fed under the bark of Pitch Pine. Our records are mostly from wooded sites, but we are unaware of any larval records for this species.

Larval Host Plants: The larval life history is poorly known, but Wagner, Nelson & Schweitzer (2003) suggest that larva may feed beneath the bark of pine trees in New England. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SU

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

Comments: This species appears to be uncommon in the state, but additional information on its distribution and abundance is needed before we can assess its conservation status.

Photo Gallery for Decantha stecia - Small Decantha

Photos: 18

	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, John Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-09 Cumberland 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: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-04 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-26 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-16 New Hanover Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-18 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-05 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-22 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-19 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-07-02 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-27 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2023-05-21 New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Kyle Kittelberger on 2020-07-07 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf, K. Kittelberger on 2013-06-15 Halifax Co. Comment: