Moths of North Carolina

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Promalactis suzukiella (Matsumura, 1931) - Suzuki's Promalactis

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Gelechioidea

Family:
Oecophoridae

Subfamily:
Oecophorinae

Tribe:
Oecophorini

P3 Number:
59a0063.5

MONA Number:
1047.10

Comments: This is one of about 60 currently recognized species in this genus, whose distribution is centered in East and South Asia. This appears to be the only species that has become established in North America (Adamski et al., 2009)

Species Status: Promalactis suzukiella is native to Korea, Japan, and Taiwan and was first collected in the United States in 2002. It was first recorded in North Carolina in 2011 (iNaturalist) and now occurs statewide.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Technical Description, Adults: Adamski et al. (2009)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Adamski et al. (2009)

Adult Markings: This is a very small and distinctively patterned micromoth. The vertex and thorax are pale brownish orange, with a few white scales near the base of the antennae. The scape of the antenna is white, and the flagellum has alternating black and white bands. The first and second segment of the outer surface of the labial palps is pale brownish orange, while the third segment is brown with a white apex. The ground color is a rich, reddish-brown and is overlaid with two conspicuous white bands. The first is a narrow basal band that slants posteriorly from the costal base before terminating just before the inner margin. The second begins on the inner margin at about one-half. It runs perpendicular to the inner margin to about mid-wing then angles anteriorly to the costa where it enlarges into a triangular base. A large white spot is adjacent to the costa in the subterminal area, and the fringe is orange. Epicallima argenticinctella is similar in size and appearance but lacks white on the head, has a well-defined brown saddle behind the thorax, and lacks the large white costal spot on the apical third of the forewing.

Forewing Length: 4.5 - 7.0 mm (n = 161) (Adamski et al., 2009)

Adult Structural Features: The male and female reproductive structures are described and illustrated by Adamski et al. (2009) and appear to be distinctive.

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

Immatures and Development: Adamski et al. (2009) found sixty larvae under the bark of rotting logs of chokecherry and oaks. The larvae varied from 7.6–11.6 mm in length and had pale gray bodies. The head capsule, prothoracic shield, thoracic legs, anal plate, and large pinaculum on the proleg of A10 were amber colored. A more detailed technical description of the larvae and pupae are provided by the authors.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: This introduced species was first discovered in the United States in 2002 and has since spread across most of the eastern US from the northeastern states southward to northern Florida, and westward to Michigan, Kansas, and southeastern Texas. Our earliest records for North Carolina are from 2011, and it now occurs statewide.

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 found from March to October is different regions of the eastern US, with a seasonal peak in June through September. As of 2020, our records extends from late March through mid-October. Local populations are presumed to have two or more broods per year.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Our records come from areas where hardwoods are present, including natural communities and wooded residential neighborhoods. We do not yet have any records from conifer-dominated stands.

Larval Host Plants: Adamski et al. (2009) found sixty larvae under the bark of rotting logs of chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) and oaks (Quercus spp.). - View

Observation Methods: The adults regularly visit UV-lights.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for Exotic Invaded Habitats

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNA SNA]

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

Comments: This is an introduced species from East Asia (Adamski et al., 2009) and has no known conservation concerns.

Photo Gallery for Promalactis suzukiella - Suzuki's Promalactis

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

	Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2025-10-15 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-10-13 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2025-10-12 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2025-10-08 Henderson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-10-02 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-28 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2025-09-19 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-06 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2025-09-02 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-08-28 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-08-25 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Kevin Bischof, Rich Teper, Patrick Coin on 2025-08-16 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish, Randy Emmitt on 2025-08-12 Alamance Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-08-09 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin and Marilyn Westphal. on 2025-08-09 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Dale Morgan, Patrick Coin, Julie Tuttle, Becky Watkins, et al. on 2025-07-26 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Sarah Toner on 2025-07-22 Tyrrell Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/300571812
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rob Van Epps, Kevin Metcalf on 2025-07-20 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-08 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-07-03 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Melody McMichael on 2025-06-26 Forsyth Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2025-06-21 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Larry Chen, Sarah Toner on 2025-06-07 Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-30 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-23 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-21 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George on 2025-05-17 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2025-05-16 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-15 Brunswick Co. Comment: