Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFBlastobasidae Members: 3 NC Records

Asaphocrita busckiella (Dietz, 1910) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: BlastobasidaeSubfamily: BlastobasinaeTribe: HolocerinaeP3 Number: 421734.00 MONA Number: 1174.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIFTechnical Description, Adults: Dietz (1910)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species varies substantially in patterning based on BOLD specimens. The following is based in part on the original description by Dietz (1910). The labial palp is long and recurved, and roughened beneath with brown scales on the male. It is grayish-white and densely dusted with brown, but less so on the upper edge and apical portion of the second and basal portion of the third joint. The head is grayish-white, and speckled with brown scales. The antenna is fuscous-brown, except for the basal joint which is grayish-white with brown speckling. The male's antenna is rather deeply notched near the base. The thorax is grayish-white, and speckled with brown. The forewing ground color varies from whitish to light brown, and is dusted with dark brown and reddish brown scales. The basal part of the wing is often dark brown and dusted with varying levels of reddish-brown. Many specimens show evidence of a thin, outwardly curved or angulated black line at about one-fifth the wing length. This is followed by a broad whitish or pale band that is edged posterior by a thick darker dusting (band) that fades posteriorly. There is a pair of dark spots at the end of cell at about two-thirds. The apical margin sometimes has a faint row of dark spots or marks, and the hindwing and cilia on both wings are light brown to grayish brown. The legs are whitish and suffused with dark fuscous. The patterning described above is often subdued on many specimens, so expect substantial variation among individuals. This species is best identified by genitalia and molecular markers (barcoding).
Wingspan: 16 mm (Dietz, 1910).
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: Asaphocrita busckiella is found in eastern North America. The exact range is rather poorly documented, but BOLD specimens extend from the New England states and adjoining areas of Canada southward to the southern Appalachians of eastern Tennessee and vicinity. As of 2021, we have a single confirmed record from the lower mountains in Ashe County.
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: Records from outside of North Carolina are from May and June. As of 2021, our one confirmed record is from 1 July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are undocumented, but most appear to come from forested sites.
Larval Host Plants: The host plants are undocumented.
Observation Methods: The adults occasionally visit lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [SU]
State Protection:
Comments: As of 2021, we have a single record. Additional data is needed on the distribution and abundance of this species before we can assess its conservation status.