Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
View PDFBlastobasidae Members:
Holcocera Members:
63 NC Records

Holcocera immaculella McDunnough, 1930 - No Common Name

Holcocera immaculellaHolcocera immaculellaHolcocera immaculella
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea		 Family:
Blastobasidae		Subfamily:
Blastobasinae		Tribe:
Holcocerini		P3 Number:
59a1752		 MONA Number:
1221.00
Comments: The genus Holcocera is represented by about 70 species worldwide, with its center of diversity in the New World tropics. There are many undescribed species, including some in the US. A major taxonomic revision of North American forms is needed for this and many other members of the subfamily Blastobasinae.
Species Status: This species is widespread in North America and there are two groups that show significant genetic differentiation (BOLD). This suggests that Holcocera immaculella, as currently recognized, may contain more than one species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: David Adamski                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a rather plain species that has forewings that are unmarked. The brownish head region contrasts with the lighter forewings. Note the two-toned thorax that is darker anteriorly. The following description is based primarily on that of McDunnough (1930). The antenna is brownish with faint annulations. The basal joint has a strong pecten, and the male antenna has a distinct notch beyond the basal joint. The labial palp, head, and anterior portion of the thorax are smoky brown, while the posterior portion of the thorax is light yellowish brown and matches the color of the forewing. The head and thoracic region are noticeably darker than the forewing, which is uniformly light yellowish brown and lacks any markings. The hindwing and the fringe on both wings are pale gray to light smoky. The first two pairs of legs are smoky, while the hindleg is paler with light ocherous tufts. The abdomen is gray to yellowish brown above, with narrow transverse blackish bands. Specimens from some areas of the range deviate from the description above by being light charcoal gray rather than yellowish brown. Our specimens are the usual yellowish brown as described above. We also find individuals that lack the brownish head and thoracic region. We are currently assigning these to this species.
Adult Structural Features: McDunnough (1961) has descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia for specimens from eastern Canada (under Holcocerina immaculella).
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae feed within the cones of conifers and consume the seeds. The larvae have a dark amber head and thoracic shield and a dirty grayish body (see MPG for images).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Holcocera immaculella is found throughout a wide area of the US and southern Canada in association with spruce and pine forests. Western populations are genetically distinct (BOLD) and may constitute an undescribed species. In the East, populations occur from the northeastern US and adjoining areas of southern Canada westward to Minnesota and Michigan, and southward to Florida, Louisiana, eastern Texas and Arkansas. We have records from all three physiographic regions of the state.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Holcocera immaculella
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 March through August in areas outside of North Carolina, with a peak in seasonal activity in June and July. As of 2021, our records extend from May through August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The larvae feed on conifer seeds, and presumably rely on Eastern White Pine and other pines in North Carolina.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on the seeds and cones of conifers, including pines and spruces. The documented hosts (Robinson et al., 2010) include Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Black Spruce (Picea mariana), Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), Lodgepole Pine (P. contorta), Ponderosa Pine (P. ponderosa), Red Pine (P. resinosa), Eastern White Pine (P. strobus), and Scots Pine (P. sylvestris). There is also a BugGuide record (Gouvernement du Québec, 2022) for a larva reared from Red Spruce (Picea rubens). Eastern White Pine is presumably an important host in North Carolina, but other pines are probably used since this species ranges well beyond the southernmost limits of Eastern White Pine. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SNR [S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: We have a few scattered records from throughout the state. More detailed information is needed on the distribution, abundance, and habitat use before we can assess the conservation status of this species.

 Photo Gallery for Holcocera immaculella - None

59 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-20
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2025-05-16
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-05
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-05-03
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-27
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-15
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-15
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-21
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-19
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-18
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-18
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-06-17
Lincoln Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-16
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George on 2024-06-14
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-07
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-27
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-27
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-05-11
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-05-02
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-27
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-18
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-17
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-16
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-12
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-12
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2023-07-27
Davidson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2023-07-26
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-13
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-17
New Hanover Co.
Comment: