Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFBlastobasidae Members: Blastobasis Members: 42 NC Records

Blastobasis pulchella (Dietz, 1910) - No Common Name

Blastobasis pulchellaBlastobasis pulchellaBlastobasis pulchellaBlastobasis pulchella
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea		 Family:
Blastobasidae		Subfamily:
Blastobasinae		Tribe:
Blastobasini		P3 Number:
59a1770		 MONA Number:
1167.00
Comments: Blastobasis is a taxonomically difficult genus, with several undescribed species in North America. There appears to be several poorly resolved species complexes within this and closely related genera. A comprehensive revision of the genus is needed.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Dietz (1910)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is based in part on the description by Dietz (1910). The labial palp, antenna, head, and thorax vary from light tannish-brown to darker shades of brown. The forewing has a rather wide, silver white fascia at one-third that is straight. It is sharply defined posteriorly by heavy, dark brown shading that fades posteriorly before reaching a dark discal spot at about the middle of the wing. There are two additional spots at the end of cell at about three-fourths, but these are often completely obscured by a straight, dark brown fascia. The middle and apical regions are more or less suffused with brown and sprinkling with varying concentrations of white scales. The cilia are similar in color to the ground and there is often some fine darker mottling at the termen. The hindwing is pale gray and dusted with fuscous. The legs are brownish with white banding on the tarsi. Pigritia murtfeldtella is similar, but lacks the conspicuous dark spot at mid-wing and the dark fascia at three-fourths. This species also has poorly developed palps that are not visible when viewed from above. Some of the Holcocera species are also similar, but the whitish fascia at one-third typically doesn't reach the inner margin, and the dark fascia at three-fourths is missing (typically, pairs spots are present instead).
Wingspan: 8.5 mm (Dietz, 1910)
Structural photos
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The range is poorly documented, but specimens fitting the description of this species have been found throughout the eastern US and adjoining areas of Canada. As of 2021, our records are from the western Coastal Plain to the lower elevations in the mountains.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Blastobasis pulchellaAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New%20Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge 		Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Flight Comments: In North Carolina, adults are active during the warmer months of the year. As of 2021, our records are from late April through early August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The habitat requirements are largely unknown. Most of our records are from residential neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts are undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults occasional visit lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SNR [S3S4]
State Protection:
Comments: We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution, abundance, and habitat requirements of this species in order to assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Blastobasis pulchella - None

 32 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-07-16
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: David George, David Cheng, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-10
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: David George on 2025-06-07
Durham Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-04-25
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: David George on 2024-06-14
Durham Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: David George on 2024-06-13
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-05-20
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: R. Newman on 2024-05-03
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-07-23
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Jim Petranka and John Petranka on 2023-06-14
Moore Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-12
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2023-05-11
Wake Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: John Petranka on 2023-04-10
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: John Petranka on 2023-04-10
Orange Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: John Petranka on 2022-06-21
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-06-13
Durham Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: John Petranka on 2022-06-07
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-05-29
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Stephen Hall on 2021-08-10
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Steve Hall on 2020-05-24
Orange Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn on 2020-05-13
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn on 2020-05-13
Moore Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-06-01
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-05-25
Orange Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-05-24
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Darryl Willis on 2015-05-09
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Kyle Kittelberger on 2014-06-04
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Blastobasis pulchellaRecorded by: Kyle Kittelberger on 2013-07-26
Wake Co.
Comment: