Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGelechiidae Members: Pseudotelphusa Members: 4 NC Records

Pseudotelphusa basifasciella (Zeller, 1873) - No Common Name

Pseudotelphusa basifasciella
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea		 Family:
Gelechiidae		Subfamily:
Gelechiinae		Tribe:
Gelechiini		P3 Number:
59a0779		 MONA Number:
1868.00
Comments: Pseudotelphusa species in eastern North America constitute a taxonomically challenging group, with several described species that have similar patterning, along with one or more species that are likely undescribed. Little effort has been put forth to correlate DNA barcoding with external morphology and genitalia, so there is still much uncertainty in this regard. Many of our assignments of specimens to species are provisional and will remain so until additional information becomes available that will clarify the taxonomic status of populations in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Pseudotelphusa basifasciella is mostly whitish with contrastingly black marks on the forewing. The second segment of the labial palp is dusted with blackish scales, while the terminal segment has a basal, medial and terminal band -- with the latter two wide and prominent. The antenna has dark-brown and whitish annulations that are less pronounced towards the basal third. The head, thorax and forewing ground color are white with a light dusting or sprinkling of darker scales.

The sub-basal band on the forewing is complete and usually extends along the costa from at or near the wing base to about one-fifth the wing length. It then angles obliquely outward towards the inner margin before terminating at the fold. The end commonly has a short, narrow tooth or line that runs parallel to the inner margin. A dark costal spot is present at around one-half the wing length, with specimens often having one or two faint black dots inwardly from this. A second, smaller spot is present on the costa at around two-thirds. Across from it there is often a small blotch and/or a pair of dark dots (frequently connected to form a bar) before the inner margin. A diffuse, faint, dark blotch is sometimes evident in the subterminal region. The line of 6-7 black dots that runs along the outer margin from the tornus to beyond the apex, and that is well-developed in some of our Pseudotelphusa species, tends to be poorly developed in this species. The hindwing varies from smoky gray to pinkish-tan, while the legs are dark-brown to black, with pale grayish-white annulations on the tarsal segments.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Pseudotelphusa basifasciellaAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
Piedmont (Pd)
Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge 		Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: The hosts are apparently unknown.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Pseudotelphusa basifasciella - No common name

Photos: 2
Pseudotelphusa basifasciella
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-06-09
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Pseudotelphusa basifasciella
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-06-09
Madison Co.
Comment: