Moths of North Carolina
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Significant Contributors
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
Family (Alpha):
ACROLEPIIDAE-
ADELIDAE-
AMPHISBATIDAE-
AUTOSTICHIDAE-
BATRACHEDRIDAE-
BEDELLIIDAE-
BLASTOBASIDAE-
BOMBYCIDAE-
BUCCULATRICIDAE-
CARPOSINIDAE-
CHOREUTIDAE-
COLEOPHORIDAE-
COSMOPTERIGIDAE-
COSSIDAE-
CRAMBIDAE-
DEPRESSARIIDAE-
DREPANIDAE-
ELACHISTIDAE-
EPERMENIIDAE-
EPIPYROPIDAE-
EREBIDAE-Erebid Moths
ERIOCRANIIDAE-
EUTELIIDAE-
GALACTICIDAE-
GELECHIIDAE-
GEOMETRIDAE-
GLYPHIDOCERIDAE-
GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE-
GRACILLARIIDAE-
HELIOZELIDAE-
HEPIALIDAE-
HYBLAEIDAE-
INCURVARIIDAE-
LASIOCAMPIDAE-
LECITHOCERIDAE-Long-horned Moths
LIMACODIDAE-
LYONETIIDAE-
MEGALOPYGIDAE-Flannel Moths
MICROPTERIGIDAE-
MIMALLONIDAE-
MOMPHIDAE-Mompha Moths
NEPTICULIDAE-
NOCTUIDAE-Owlet Moths
NOLIDAE-
NOTODONTIDAE-
OECOPHORIDAE-
OPOSTEGIDAE-
PELEOPODIDAE-
PLUTELLIDAE-
PRODOXIDAE-
PSYCHIDAE-Bagworm Moths
PTEROPHORIDAE-
PYRALIDAE-
SATURNIIDAE-Saturniids
SCHRECKENSTEINIIDAE-
SESIIDAE-
SPHINGIDAE-Sphinx Moths
THYATIRIDAE-
THYRIDIDAE-
TINEIDAE-
TISCHERIIDAE-
TORTRICIDAE-
URANIIDAE-
URODIDAE-
XYLORYCTIDAE-
YPONOMEUTIDAE-
YPSOLOPHIDAE-
ZYGAENIDAE-
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Gelechiidae Members:
Agnippe prunifoliella
Anacampsini new genus new species
Anacampsis agrimoniella
Anacampsis conclusella
Anacampsis consonella
Anacampsis coverdalella
Anacampsis fragariella
Anacampsis levipedella
Anacampsis lupinella
Anacampsis rhoifructella
Anacampsis unidentified species
Anarsia lineatella
Aristotelia callirrhoda
Aristotelia fungivorella
Aristotelia isopelta
Aristotelia lespedezae
Aristotelia monilella
Aristotelia pudibundella
Aristotelia roseosuffusella
Aristotelia rubidella
Aristotelia unidentified species
Aroga argutiola
Aroga compositella
Aroga trialbamaculella
Aroga trialbamaculella complex
Aroga unidentified species
Arogalea cristifasciella
Battaristis concinusella
Battaristis new species
Battaristis nigratomella
Battaristis unidentified species
Battaristis vittella
Caryocolum pullatella
Chionodes adamas
Chionodes baro
Chionodes bicostomaculella
Chionodes cacula
Chionodes continuella
Chionodes discoocellella
Chionodes fondella
Chionodes formosella
Chionodes fuscomaculella
Chionodes hibiscella
Chionodes imber
Chionodes lactans
Chionodes mediofuscella
Chionodes obscurusella
Chionodes pereyra
Chionodes pseudofondella
Chionodes rabula
Chionodes rectifex
Chionodes sevir
Chionodes soter
Chionodes tarmes
Chionodes thoraceochrella
Chionodes unidentified species
Coleotechnites albicostata
Coleotechnites apicitripunctella
Coleotechnites atrupictella
Coleotechnites canusella
Coleotechnites carbonaria
Coleotechnites citriella
Coleotechnites coniferella
Coleotechnites florae
Coleotechnites macleodi
Coleotechnites new species
Coleotechnites obliquistrigella
Coleotechnites piceaella
Coleotechnites quercivorella
Coleotechnites unidentified species
Coleotechnites variiella
Deltophora sella
Dichomeris aglaia
Dichomeris agonia
Dichomeris bilobella
Dichomeris bipunctellus
Dichomeris bolize
Dichomeris caia
Dichomeris citrifoliella
Dichomeris costarufoella
Dichomeris crepida
Dichomeris fistuca
Dichomeris flavocostella
Dichomeris furia
Dichomeris georgiella
Dichomeris glenni
Dichomeris heriguronis
Dichomeris inserrata
Dichomeris inversella
Dichomeris juncidella
Dichomeris kimballi
Dichomeris laetitia
Dichomeris ligulella
Dichomeris marginella
Dichomeris nenia
Dichomeris nonstrigella
Dichomeris ochripalpella
Dichomeris offula
Dichomeris pelta
Dichomeris punctidiscella
Dichomeris punctipennella
Dichomeris setosella
Dichomeris siren
Dichomeris unidentified species
Dichomeris vacciniella
Dichomeris ventrellus
Dichomeris xanthoa
Enchrysa dissectella
Exoteleia anomala
Exoteleia pinifoliella complex
Fascista bimaculella
Fascista cercerisella
Fascista quinella
Filatima ornatifimbriella
Filatima persicaeella
Filatima pseudacaciella
Filatima serotinella
Filatima unidentified species
Filatima xanthuris
Frumenta nundinella
Gelechia albisparsella
Gelechiidae unidentified species
Glauce pectenalaeella
Gnorimoschema gallaeasterella
Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis
Gnorimoschema terracottella
Gnorimoschema unidentified species
Helcystogramma hystricella
Helcystogramma melanocarpa
Helcystogramma melantherella
Holophysis emblemella
Isophrictis anteliella
Isophrictis unidentified species
Keiferia inconspicuella
Keiferia unidentified species
Mesophleps adustipennis
Metzneria lappella
Monochroa disconotella
Monochroa gilvolinella
Monochroa monactis
Monochroa pullusella
Monochroa quinquepunctella
Monochroa unidentified species
Neotelphusa sequax
Phthorimaea operculella
Polyhymno luteostrigella
Prostomeus brunneus
Pseudochelaria pennsylvanica
Pseudochelaria walsinghami
Pseudotelphusa fuscopunctella
Pseudotelphusa palliderosacella
Pseudotelphusa quercinigracella
Pseudotelphusa unidentified species
Pubitelphusa latifasciella
Sinoe chambersi
Sinoe kwakae
Sinoe robiniella
Sinoe unidentified species
Sitotroga cerealella
Stegasta bosqueella
Stereomita andropogonis
Strobisia iridipennella
Symmetrischema capsica
Symmetrischema lavernella
Symmetrischema striatella
Symmetrischema unidentified species
Taygete attributella
Taygete gallaegenitella
Telphusa longifasciella
Telphusa perspicua
Theisoa constrictella
Trypanisma prudens
Untomia albistrigella
Xenolechia aethiops
Chionodes
Members:
Chionodes adamas
Chionodes baro
Chionodes bicostomaculella
Chionodes cacula
Chionodes continuella
Chionodes discoocellella
Chionodes fondella
Chionodes formosella
Chionodes fuscomaculella
Chionodes hibiscella
Chionodes imber
Chionodes lactans
Chionodes mediofuscella
Chionodes obscurusella
Chionodes pereyra
Chionodes pseudofondella
Chionodes rabula
Chionodes rectifex
Chionodes sevir
Chionodes soter
Chionodes tarmes
Chionodes thoraceochrella
Chionodes unidentified species
29 NC Records
Chionodes discoocellella
(Chambers, 1872) - Eyeringed Chionodes Moth
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea
Family:
Gelechiidae
Subfamily:
Gelechiinae
Tribe:
Gelechiini
P3 Number:
421006.00
MONA Number:
2072.00
Comments:
The genus
Chionodes
is the most species rich genus of gelechiid moths in the Western Hemisphere, with 187 recognized species. Our knowledge of the diverse array of species in North America is largely due to the monumental work of Hodges (1999), who spend decades working on the group and described 115 new species (Powell and Opler, 2009). Many exhibit substantial variation within species and have drab coloration, typically with brown, dark gray, or blackish patterning on the forewings. These can only be confidently identified by examining secondary sexual characteristics and/or the genitalia of one or both sexes. Others are more boldly marked and can be identified by wing patterning. Many of our state records are based on Hodges (1999) database of over 19,000 specimens that he examined from major collections in the US. These include North Carolina specimens that he collected mostly from Highlands, and from a few other areas within the state.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions:
Leckie and Beadle (2018)
Online Photographs:
MPG
,
BugGuide
,
iNaturalist
,
Google
,
BAMONA
,
GBIF
Technical Description, Adults:
Forbes (1923); Hodges (1999)
Technical Description, Immature Stages:
(Hodges, 1999)
Adult Markings:
This is a distinctive
Chionodes
with a mostly yellowish third joint on the labial palp and a rich brown forewing with an eyed discal dot. The following description is based on that of Chambers (1872) and Hodges (1999). The antenna is brown and the the head, thorax, and forewings are dark brown and tinged with purplish. The second joint of the labial palp is dark brown laterally, and ocherous-yellow along the inner surface. The third joint has a brown base, but is otherwise dull yellowish. The forewing is brown and mostly unmarked, with the veins on the apical third often slightly darker than the surrounding ground color. The most prominent mark is an outer discal dot at about three-fifths the wing length that is yellow, and usually has a black point in the center. A small, elongated, black spot is present at two-fifths that is closer to the inner margin. It often has a few pale yellowish scales on the anterior and posterior margins. The hindwing is light grayish-brown to yellowish-brown. The dorsal surface of the abdomen is pale yellowish gray, with the posterior margin of each segment paler. The legs are dark brown to blackish with pale annulations.
Wingspan:
18 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Forewing Length:
4.8-7.7 mm (Hodges, 1999)
Adult ID Requirements:
Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development:
Hodges (1999) summarized information concerning the larval life history. The larvae feed on members of the Polygonaceae. Larvae that were observed in Illinois either folded leaves lengthwise, or lived under a web spun on the upper or undersurface of a leaf. Reared larvae pupated between 9 June and 9 August, and the adults emerged between 20 June and 22 August (Coquillett, 1883). Larvae in Florida skeletonized smartweed leaves and pupated beneath a silken web on the undersurface of a leaf. Reared larvae required 15-56 days to reach maturity and pupation required 5-15 days. Forbes (1923) reported that the larva is green with a yellow-green head and cervical shield.
Larvae ID Requirements:
Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
Chionodes discoocellella
is found throughout most of the eastern US and adjoining areas of extreme southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec). The range extends from Maine to southern Florida, and westward to central Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, and Minnesota. As of 2021, we have records from all three physiographic provinces, with most from the 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:
Adults in the southernmost areas of the range are active year-round or nearly so, while those farther north mostly fly from May though October. As of 2021, our records extend from late-July through early November.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Most of the host plants that are used by this species are found in wetlands or areas with moist soils.
Larval Host Plants:
The larvae feed on members of the Polygonaceae and appear to mostly specialize on smartweeds. The known hosts include Dense-flower Smartweed (
Persicaria densiflora
), Swamp Smartweed (
P. hydropiperoides
), Pennsylvania Smartweed (
P. pensylvanica
), Dotted Smartweed (
P. punctata
) and Curly Dock (
Rumex crispus
). The latter is an introduced species, and we are unaware of
C. discoocellella
using any of our native
Rumex
species.
Observation Methods:
The adults come to lights. The larvae can be found on smartweeds during the summer months.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
GNR SU
State Protection:
Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:
We need additional information on the distribution and abundance of this species before we can assess its conservation status.
Photo Gallery for
Chionodes discoocellella
- Eyeringed Chionodes Moth
Photos: 24
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-11-28
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-11-28
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-11-07
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2022-08-02
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-12
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2022-06-30
Durham Co.
Comment: Confirmed by JBS, slide 10655. WTHD
Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2022-04-02
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-03-05
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-03-05
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-03-05
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2021-12-27
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-10-13
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-10-13
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2021-10-11
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-09-12
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2021-09-09
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-11-07
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-11-07
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2020-09-07
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-26
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-26
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-26
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2016-08-06
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Harry Wilson on 2010-09-19
Wake Co.
Comment: