Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
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View PDFGelechiidae Members:
Monochroa Members:
1 NC Records

Monochroa disconotella (Chambers, 1878) - No Common Name

No image for this species.
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: GelechiidaeSubfamily: GelechiinaeTribe: AnomologiniP3 Number: 59a0622 MONA Number: 1708.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Chambers (1878b); Forbes (1923)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a small, drab, brown moth that is perhaps best identified by genitalia or genetic markers (barcoding). Very few specimens have been collected since it was originally described in 1878, and very little is known about its natural history. The following is based on descriptions by Chambers (1878b) and Forbes (1923). The antenna is white and annulated with brown. The labial palp is brown, and the tip of the second joint is pale or white. There is a broad blackish band at the middle of the third joint, at least on the outside, and the second and third joints are of equal length. The ground color of the forewing varies from pale fuscous to ocherous-yellow, and is speckled with darker scales. There is a horizontal elliptical black spot at the end of cell at about two-thirds the wing length, and a smaller spot below the costa half way to base. A faint row of dark spots or blotches is sometimes evident that extends from the tornus to the apex, along with a short, apical, dark line near the base of the cilia. The hindwing is paler and a little narrower than the forewing, and rather deeply excised beneath the tip. The legs are brown on their anterior surfaces.
Wingspan: 8 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The range of Monochroa disconotella is poorly documented due to the scarcity of records. The species was originally described from Kentucky, and Forbes (1923) list the District of Columbia and Mississippi. Pohl et al. (2018) has specimens for Ontario and Nova Scotia, and MPG shows records for Maine, New Hampshire, Kentucky and Ohio. As of 2021, we have one historical record from Macon County in the mountains.
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: Adults are active from June through August. Our one historical record is not dated.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented.
Larval Host Plants: Forbes (1923) reported that the larvae bore in the stems of raspberries, but this needs to be verified with additional observations. - View
Observation Methods: The adults appear to rarely visit lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SH
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This is a very poorly studied species and additional information in needed on its current status within the state before we can assess its conservation status.