Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGlyphidoceridae Members:
Glyphidocera Members:
1 NC Records

Glyphidocera meyrickella Busck, 1907 - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: GlyphidoceridaeSubfamily: [Glyphidocerinae]Tribe: [Glyphidocerini]P3 Number: 59a0023 MONA Number: 1141.00
Comments: Glyphidocera is a large but poorly studied genus with numerous undescribed species in the Neotropics, where they reach their greatest diversity. Adamski (2005) described 88 new species from Costa Rica alone. There are currently 11 described species in North America, and seven species in North Carolina. They are small to medium-sized moths and, with rare exceptions, vary from pale yellowish brown to dark brown. Most have few, if any, diagnostic markings on the wings. Host associations are unknown for almost all species, which suggests that they may be detritivores or fungivores that do not feed on living plants.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Busck (1907)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based in part on the original description by Busck (1907). The labial palp is ocherous, with the terminal joint slightly mottled with black on the inner side. The antenna is light ocherous and annulated with black. The face, head and thorax are ocherous (light tan or beige). The forewing is ocherous, and is evenly and profusely sprinkled with dark brown to black scales. A dark brown to blackish diffuse discal spot is present on the middle of the cell (at about one-third the wing length) and another at the end of the cell (at two-thirds). Some specimens also have a third blackish spot near the wing base at around one-fifth. This is a rather non-descript, light-colored Glyphidocera with two or three rather faint and diffuse dorsal spots. Very few specimens have been positively identified since its original description, and DNA barcoding is perhaps the most reliable way to identify this and other look-alikes such as G. septentrionella. The palps appear to be shorter than in many Glyphidocera, but this needs to be confirmed. A major revision of the North American Glyphidocera is sorely needed that includes descriptions of the sex scales and genitalia.
Wingspan: 14-15 mm (Busck, 1907)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The range is poorly documented. Specimens have been identified by barcoding or other reliably means from Maine, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Florida.
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)

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Flight Comments: The flight season is poorly documented. Most records are from June and July. Our one historical record is undated.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are undocumented.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts, if any, are undocumented. Except for one species, the hosts of the more than 100 described species of Glyphidocera are unknown. This suggests that the larvae do not feed on living plant foliage, and are perhaps detritivores or fungivores. - View
Observation Methods: The adults occasionally visit 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: We have a single historical record that needs to be verified by an expert.