Moths of North Carolina
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287 NC Records

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

Promalactis suzukiellaPromalactis suzukiellaPromalactis suzukiella
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, BOLDTechnical 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.
Promalactis suzukiella
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

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