Moths of North Carolina
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Homaledra Members:
27 NC Records

Homaledra octagonella (Walsingham, 1882) - Octagonal Casemaker Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: PterolonchidaeP3 Number: 421688.00 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 Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical 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)
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.
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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