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

Neotelphusa sequax (Haworth, 1828) - Crepuscular Rock-rose Moth

Neotelphusa sequax
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: GelechiidaeSubfamily: GelechiinaeTribe: GelechiiniP3 Number: 59a0787.73 MONA Number: 1881.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The head and thorax are dull white to ocherous and the thorax often has two black dots on the posterior half. The labial palp is dull white with two darker bands on the third joint. The antenna is brown with pale annulations. The ground color of the forewing is light grayish white and dusted with fuscous to varying degrees. There are two conspicuous darker marks. The first is a medium to dark brown patch on the basal one-fourth of the wing that extends from the costa to the inner margin. The posterior margin of the patch is lined with a narrow dark brown to blackish fascia that is outwardly oblique. The second is hemispheric-shaped dark blotch at one half that extends from the costa and terminates just before reaching the inner margin. The apical third has varying levels of dark and lighter pale mottling, and a dark, longitudinal line is often between the central blotch and the apex. The hindwing and cilia are light brown. The legs have alternating pale and blackish bands and whitish annuli near the tarsal joints.
Wingspan: 11-14 mm
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: In the UK, the larvae feed on leaves of Helianthemums. They spin the terminal the leaves together and often form a tight ball, then feed from within.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This Eurasian introduction is now well-established in much of the northeastern US and adjoining areas of southern Canada, with scattered populations occurring southward to Tennessee and North Carolina. Populations also appear to be established in the Pacific Northwest. As of 2021, we have a single record from the eastern Piedmont.
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: The adults fly in and around July and August. As of 2021, our one record was from 12 June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Members of the host genus are typically found in open, sunny habitats, and open in dry or sandy habitats with reduced leaf litter.
Larval Host Plants: In Europe, the hosts include Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium) or Hoary Rock-rose (Helianthemum oelandicum; UK Moths). The hosts have not been documented in the US, but presumably are species of Crocanthemum. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SNA
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This is an introduced species from Europe that does not merit protection.

 Photo Gallery for Neotelphusa sequax - Crepuscular Rock-rose Moth

Photos: 1

Recorded by: K. Kitteberger on 2014-06-12
Wake Co.
Comment: