Moths of North Carolina
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8 NC Records

Deltophora sella (Chambers, 1874) - Black-spotted Twirler

Deltophora sellaDeltophora sellaDeltophora sellaDeltophora sella
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: GelechiidaeSubfamily: AnomologinaeP3 Number: 59a0681 MONA Number: 1928.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Sattler (1979)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The head is yellowish white and sometimes has a wide longitudinal brownish streak on the vertex. The labial palp is pale yellowish and the third joint has a dark brown band at the tip and around the middle that is sometimes faint or missing. The thorax and forewing ground color are dull white to pale yellowing gray, with varying levels of darker dusting. The forewing has three conspicuous dark brown marks: a short, elongated spot on the fold at about one-fifth, a larger, irregular blotch immediately behind it just before one-half, and a black dot at about three-fourths. The last two often have a thin of pale scales along their margins. A faint whitish costal spot is often evident at three-fourths. The hindwing and cilia vary from yellowish brown to gray, and the legs are brown with pale annulations.
Forewing Length: 5-7 mm (Sattler, 1979)
Adult Structural Features: Sattler (1979) has descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Deltophora sella is found from Ontario, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, southward to Georgia and northern Florida, and westward to central Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Illinois. Populations appear to be absent or rare in most of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain from Virginia south to northern Florida. As of 2021, we have records from both the eastern Coastal Plain and a bog complex 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: The adults have been collected during almost every month of the year in Florida and at other southern locales, and mostly between April and August at more northern latitudes. As of 2021, we have records only two dated records, and both are from June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented.
Larval Host Plants: The host plants are unknown. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SU
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be uncommon in the state, but more information is need on its preferred habitats, distribution, and abundance before we can assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Deltophora sella - Black-spotted Twirler

Photos: 6

Recorded by: Hunter Phillips, Mark Shields on 2024-06-29
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-05-05
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-05-05
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2021-04-09
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2021-04-09
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-06-04
Onslow Co.
Comment: