Moths of North Carolina
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Chionodes Members:
12 NC Records

Chionodes pseudofondella (Busck, 1908) - No Common Name

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: GelechiidaeSubfamily: GelechiinaeTribe: GelechiiniP3 Number: 420997.00 MONA Number: 2110.00
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: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Hodges (1999)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Chionodes pseudofondella is very similar to C. fondella in terms of the intense black marks on the forewing. The following detailed description is based mostly on that of Hodges (1999). The vertex, thorax, and ground color of the forewing are pale yellowish white to ashy gray and overlain with dark gray to blackish dusting. The antenna is pale with thin, darker annulations. The recurved labial palp is pale gray to off-white and extends nearly to the thorax. The second segment is nearly white and lacks numerous dark-gray tipped scales laterally. The third segment is mainly off-white with many dark-gray to brown tipped scales laterally. There are two conspicuous black marks. The first is a broad, oblique band that begins on the costa at about one-third the wing length and extends posteriorly nearly to the dorsal margin. The second is an irregularly shaped band at about two-thirds that extends nearly to the inner margin. A prominent black spot is present between the two. The apical third of the wing is heavily dusted with blackish scales and usually organized as a diffuse blackish blotch. A pair of whitish costal and dorsal spots at four-fifths separate the two. Heavy dark dusting or spotting is also usually evident at the extreme wing base, where it often forms a diffuse blotch or small spots. The hindwing and cilia are light grayish brown. The dorsal surface of the abdomen has dark and medium gray mottling, and the legs are dark gray brown to blackish, with pale to off-white annulations. Chionodes fondella is similar, but the second black mark on the forewing has a broad line that extends forward almost to the first black band. In addition, the second segment of the labial palp has numerous dark-gray tipped scales versus being mostly white in C. pseudofondella.
Forewing Length: 4.7-5.9 mm (Hodges, 1999)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae appear to be polyphagous on herbaceous plants, but the larval life history is largely undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Chionodes pseudofondella is primarily found in the east-central US, but there are also records for British Columbia and Ontario. The range in the US extends from New Hampshire and Massachusetts westward to Iowa and Nebraska, and southward to Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Mississippi. As of 2021, all of our records are from middle-elevation sites in the mountains. Hodges (1999) reported a series of specimens from Guilford County (2 June-27 July, mainly June). We are unaware of the source of these records or the location of the specimens, and have not included these in our database.
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: Local populations appear to be univoltine. Adult records are almost all from May through September in regions outside of North Carolina, with a strong seasonal peak in June. As of 2021, our records are from early June through early July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented. The larvae appear to feed on herbaceous vegetation, but much more information is needed on the host plants. Our records are from a forest-bog complex, a grassy bald, and other sites that have a mixture of forest and more open habitats that support herbs.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to be polyphagous. Hodges (1999) reported that the adults have been reared from larvae feeding on flowers of Oregano (Origanum vulgare), and on Savanna Mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum flexuosum) and Hyssopleaf Thoroughwort (Eupatorium hyssopifolium). None of these species are found at sites where we have collected the species, and other natives are likely used such as mountain-mints. - View
Observation Methods: The adults come to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to be uncommon and possibly restricted to the middle to higher elevations in the mountains. More information is needed on the distribution and abundance of this species before we can assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Chionodes pseudofondella - No common name

Photos: 6

Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf, K. Kittelberger on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf, K. Kittelberger on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment: