Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Pterolonchidae Members:	Homaledra Members:	34 NC Records

Homaledra octagonella (Walsingham, 1882) - Octagonal Casemaker Moth

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Gelechioidea

Family:
Pterolonchidae

P3 Number:
59a1352.55

MONA Number:
1398.00

MONA Synonym:
Coleophora octagonella

Comments: Homaledra is a small genus with only four recognized species that are found in the New World. Two apparently undescribed species are present in Florida (Hayden, 2018).

Species Status: This species has traditionally been treated as a species of Coleophora in the family Coleophoridae, but was transferred to a new genus and family (Homaledra; Batrachedridae) based on molecular data and life history characteristics (Baldizzone et al., 2006).

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Leckie and Beadle (2018)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD, iNat Search

Technical Description, Immature Stages: (Walsingham, 1882)

Adult Markings: This species was originally described from the octagonal cases (Walsingham, 1882), and we are unaware of any formal description of the adults. The head is smooth and shiny white above. The antenna is light tan with a white base, and slightly longer than the forewings. The thorax and ground color of the forewing are creamy white to dull white. The thorax often has a faint dark zone down the mid-line, and the forewing is peppered throughout with dark brown to blackish specks. Two elongated, longitudinal spots are present on the forewing that are just inside the inner margin. The first is at one-half the wing length and the second just before the wing tip. The forewing is narrow and pointed and often has a faint burnished appearance at the tip. There is a series of fine black spots on the apical third that extend from the costa around the termen to the inner margin. The hindwing is narrowly lanceolate and light brown, and the fringe on both wings dull white to light brown. The legs are whitish, and the foreleg has slightly darkened tips.

Forewing Length: Total length around 5.5-6 mm (BugGuide)

Genitalia and other structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: The larvae have been reported to feed on lichens, but are frequently found on the leaves of various woody plants, as well as boards, twigs, and other substrates. They produce elongated, octagonal cases that taper to a blunt point. Walsingham (1882) noted that the case is constructed of elongate particles of frass that are built up in a symmetrical arrangement. On each flat side of the octagonal, each brick-like particle of frass is woven in so that the end of each one fits exactly between the ends of the two similar bricks of the adjoining faces of the case to its right and left. At the anterior opening of the case, the larvae spins a loose expanded veil of frass that is connected by silk. The veil is arranged so as to protect the head of the feeding larva, and is probably gradually taken up and utilized in making the woven structure of the octagonal case. Larvae with cases have been found during most months of the year. We have larval records from the winter and early spring months, which suggest that the larvae overwinter and resume feeding with the spring warm-up before pupating in early summer.

Larvae ID Requirements: Unmistakable and widely known.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Homaledra octagonella is found in the southeastern US from central Texas eastward across the Gulf Coast states to Florida, then northward to eastern Tennessee and North Carolina. We have records from all three physiographic provinces, but it is rare in the Blue Ridge.

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
Immature 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: The adults have been observed from March through September in areas outside of North Carolina, with a seasonal peak in June and July. As of 2025, our adult records are from mid-June to mid-July.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The feeding ecology of this species is poorly documented, but the larvae have been reported to feed on lichens on oak trees (BugGuide). The larvae have been found in variety of other settings, including on the leaves of several species of unrelated hardwoods such as Black Cherry and Swamp Redbay. It is uncertain whether they use these as hosts, or are simply wandering in search of pupation sites or other food resources.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae have been reported to feed on lichens which grow on oak trees (BugGuide), but additional observations are needed to confirm this and better document host use. Among the plants we have found larval cases on in North Carolina are Red Maple (Acer rubrum), American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), Hairy Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus), Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), Swamp Redbay (Persea palustris), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), White Oak (Quercus alba), Willow Oak (Q. phellos), Live Oak (Q. virginiana), and Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). - View

Observation Methods: The adults occasionally visit lights, but most records are based on the distinctive cases that are often found on vegetation.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S4S5]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: This species appears to be widespread and common in the state, even though it appears to reach its northern range limit in North Carolina.

Photo Gallery for Homaledra octagonella - Octagonal Casemaker Moth

Photos: 28

iNaturalist	Recorded by: hydaticus - Robby Deans on 2025-07-31 Forsyth Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/329143057***(c) Robby Deans, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=20 m Elevation= feet		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2025-06-22 Orange Co. Comment:
iNaturalist	Recorded by: maryruss - Siler Russ on 2024-10-15 Brunswick Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/247515648***(c) Siler Russ, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=31 m Elevation= feet		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2024-07-25 Durham Co. Comment:
iNaturalist	Recorded by: noncognosco - Randy Herman on 2024-07-05 Rockingham Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/227394367***(c) Randy Herman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=4 m Elevation= feet		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-19 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-05-29 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-27 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-09 Pender Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-09 Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-12 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-23 New Hanover Co. Comment: on Live Oak
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-17 New Hanover Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-05-25 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-03 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2022-05-15 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther on 2022-04-29 Columbus Co. Comment:	iNaturalist	Recorded by: leahwalsh - Leah Walsh on 2021-06-13 Forsyth Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/83174603***(c) Leah Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY)\| Public Positional Accuracy=192 m Elevation= feet
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2021-01-04 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2021-01-04 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-07-07 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2020-03-27 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Paul Scharf,B. Bockhahn, C.Mitchell on 2015-06-05 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Paul Scharf,B. Bockhahn, C.Mitchell on 2015-06-05 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2014-06-10 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Harry Wilson on 2011-06-14 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2008-05-21 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: FKW on 2006-05-13 Gates Co. Comment: