Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
View PDFGelechiidae Members:
Trypanisma Members:
6 NC Records

Trypanisma prudens Clemens, 1860 - No Common Name

Trypanisma prudensTrypanisma prudens
Taxonomy
Family: GelechiidaeSubfamily: GelechiinaeTribe: GelechiiniP3 Number: 59a0800 MONA Number: 1841.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Clemens (1860b)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Marquis et al. (2019).                                                                                  
Adult Markings: The following description is based primarily on that of Clemens (1860b). The face is yellowish white, and the head pale yellowish white with a dark dusting. The antenna is fuscous with yellowish annulations. The labial palp is pale yellowish white, with two dark brown spots on the second joint. The terminal joint has an annulus at the base and just below the tip. The thorax is yellowish and dusted with fuscous. The ground color of the forewing is grayish black to black with yellowish white markings. The yellowish-white marks include a small patch at the wing base, a patch at one-half on the inner margin that extends to the middle of the wing, and a pair of costal and dorsal spots at four-fifths that sometime merge to form a slightly angulated fascia. The yellowish white marks are dusted with varying levels of blackish scales. The fringe is gray, and often has a yellowish wash at the base. The hindwing is fuscous and the legs are barred with black and silvery yellow above.
Wingspan: 9 mm
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larva feeds on oak and beech leaves from within a silken web that is woven on the undersurface of a leaf. It skeletonizes both sides of the leaf, and reaches the upper surface through one or more round holes that are eaten through the leaf and that are just large enough to accommodate the body. If alarmed the larva will immediately retreat through the opening to the webbing below. The larva pupates beneath a slight web on the underside of the leaf, which is drawn into a shallow fold (Clemens, 1860; Busck, 1903a). The early instar has a pale yellow head capsule and body. The mature larva has a pale yellow-green head and brown mouth parts, a green prothoracic shield with a broad pale anterior transverse band, a green mesothorax and metathorax, and a green abdomen with cream intersegmental areas on most segments (Marquis et al., 2019).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Trypanisma prudens is found in eastern North America in southern Canada (Manitoba; Ontario; Nova Scotia) and the eastern US from Maine southward to Florida, and westward to eastern Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Minnesota. As of 2021, we have a single record from a lower elevation site 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)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Records of adults are from April through September in areas outside of North Carolina, with a seasonal peak from May through July. As of 2021, our one record is from 23 May.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Populations are associated with hardwood or mixed conifer-hardwood forests with oaks and American Beech. We have only a single record for this species as of 2021, despite the fact that the host species are widespread and common throughout the state.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed primarily on oaks, but have also been found on American Beech (Busck, 1903a; Marquis et al., 2019; Robinson et al. 2010). In addition to American Beech (Fagus americana), the known hosts include White Oak (Quercus alba), Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea), Shingle Oak (Q. imbricaria), Chestnut Oak (Q. montana), Pin Oak (Q. palustris), Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra), and Black Oak (Q. velutina). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights. The larvae can be found beneath webbing on the undersides of oak and beech leaves.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SU
State Protection:
Comments: We have only a single record as of 2021, despite the fact that the host plants are common throughout the state. More information is need on the distribution and abundance of this species within the state before we can assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Trypanisma prudens - No common name

Photos: 7

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-07
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-21
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-05-21
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-05-13
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-05-04
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-05-23
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-05-23
Madison Co.
Comment: