Moths of North Carolina
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14 NC Records

Glyphidocera septentrionella Busck, 1904 - No Common Name

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: GlyphidoceridaeSubfamily: [Glyphidocerinae]Tribe: [Glyphidocerini]P3 Number: 420024.00 MONA Number: 1142.00
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 Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Busck (1904)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based primarily on that of Busck (1904). The antenna is yellowish fuscous and weakly notched in the male. The labial palp is yellowish, sparsely sprinkled with black scales, and long and recurved, with it nearly reaching the thorax. The face and head are yellowish. The thorax and forewing are yellowish fuscous and evenly sprinkled with black scales. The markings on the forewing include a faint blackish round spot on the basal part of the cell (at about one-fourth the wing length), a similar one that is somewhat more pronounced on the middle of the cell (at one-half), and a pair of spots at the end of the cell (at two-thirds). Instead of a single circular spot at one-half, some specimens have a second spot that is more dorsal and basal relative to the first. The two spots are sometimes fused to form a single, oblique, elongated spot or bar. The terminal pair of spots at two-thirds also may be fused to form a similar elongated spot or bar. The cilia are yellowish, and the hindwing and abdomen yellowish fuscous.
Forewing Length: 7.0-8.5 mm (Powell and Opler, 2009)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Specimens that conform to G. septentrionella have been found through most of the eastern US, and in the western US in California and surrounding states. This species also occurs in western Canada and Quebec. As of 2021, our records are all from the Piedmont and lower elevations in the Blue Ridge 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: Adults have been observed from May through October in areas outside of North Carolina, with peak activity in June and July. As of 2021, our records extend from late-June through mid-September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The required habitats are poorly documented within the state. We have records from disparate communities, including a semi-wooded residential neighborhood, a higher elevation hardwood forest, and early successional habitats.
Larval Host Plants: Except for one species, the hosts of this species and 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: More information is needed on the distribution, abundance and habitat use of this species within the state before we can assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Glyphidocera septentrionella - No common name

Photos: 8

Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-26
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-06-24
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2018-06-21
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Robert Gilson on 2015-09-16
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: