Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Depressariidae Members:	Scythropiodes Members:	60 NC Records

Scythropiodes issikii (Takahashi, 1930) - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Gelechioidea

Family:
Depressariidae

Subfamily:
Oditinae

P3 Number:
59a0253.5

MONA Number:
1066.10

Comments: Scythropiodes is a small genus with 26 recognized species that are native to Asia and Africa. Some workers place Scythropiodes issikii in the genus Odites.

Species Status: Scythropiodes issikii is an exotic species that recently was introduced to the US and has since spread widely. It is native to Japan, Korea, China and Russia.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Adult Markings: The head, thorax, and forewings are off-white to white. The forewing has a series of blackish spots, the most conspicuous being one at the posterior margin of the thorax and a pair just before one-half the wing length. The pair consists of a relatively large spot to the outside and a smaller spot that is slightly more posterior and displaced towards the inner margin. In addition to these, there is a very small spot at the extreme wing base and a second at two-thirds near the middle of the wing. A few additional fine spots are sometimes present and scattered throughout the forewing. A row of faint black spots occurs along the termen, and a subterminal line of black spots is usually evident in unworn specimens.

Wingspan: 14–19 mm

Structural photos

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

Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on a variety of trees and shrubs in their native lands, but very little is known about their feeding habits in the US.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: This species was initially found in Maryland and vicinity and has since spread south and southwestward to Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. As of 2020, our records are from the Piedmont and one lower elevation site in the mountains.

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: The adults have been found from April through November, with a seasonal peak July through October. As of 2020, our records extend from May through October, with little evidence of a strong seasonal peak in activity.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: This species is often found in urbanized areas, but very little is available on specific habitat use in the United States.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae are polyphagous and feed mostly on ornamentals and cultivated trees and shrubs in Asia. The hosts that are used in the United States are unknown. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to both porch lights and UV-lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR] SNA

State Protection:

Comments: This species is exotic and does not merit protection.

Photo Gallery for Scythropiodes issikii - None			59 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2025-06-18 Alamance Co. Comment:	Recorded by: David George on 2025-06-07 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-17 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-17 Wilson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2024-09-26 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2024-09-23 Davidson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, Larry Chen on 2024-09-23 Orange Co. Comment:	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-09-14 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-09-12 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2024-09-10 Davidson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2024-09-07 Alamance Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-09-04 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2024-08-01 Durham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish on 2024-06-18 Lincoln Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2023-09-25 Caswell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-09-20 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-17 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-04 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-24 Guilford Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-15 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-03 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Rob Van Epps on 2022-05-29 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-05-15 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-05-25 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-05-19 Guilford Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-10-23 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-10-01 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-09-26 Guilford Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-09-11 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-09-02 Guilford Co. Comment:

Scythropiodes issikii (Takahashi, 1930) - No Common Name

Photo Gallery for Scythropiodes issikii - None