Moths of North Carolina
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Sole representative of Alucitidae in NC
1 NC Records

Alucita adriendenisi Landry & Landry, 2004 - A Many-Plumed Moth

Alucita adriendenisi
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Alucitoidea Family: AlucitidaeP3 Number: 61a0002 MONA Number: 2313.10
Comments: "The genus Alucita Linnaeus, 1758 belongs to the family Alucitidae, which includes 186 species in the world (Gielis 2003)" (cited by Landry and Landry, 2004). Landry and Landry describe three species in North America.
Species Status: This species was described by Landry and Landry (2004), with the holotype from Manitoulin Island, Ontario. A specimen from Ithaca, NY, confirmed as this species, was referred to by Forbes (1923) as Orneodes montana (Cockerell, 1889), but that concept included specimens now recognized as belonging to other species (see Landry and Landry, 2004).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Landry and Landry (2004)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Many-plumed Moths are unmistakable, with their forewings consisting of a fan of separate, variegated plumes, each of which resembles a bird feather. A. adriendenisi is separated from the other members of this genus by its uniformly colored head (Landry and Landry, 2004).
Forewing Length: 6.6–7.8 mm males (holotype); 6.6–8.1 mm females (one specimen = 5.9 mm) (Landry and Landry, 2004)
Adult Structural Features: Male and female reproductive structures are diagnostic (see Landry and Landry, 2004, for descriptions and illustrations)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: "The larvae feed as borers in buds, flowers, fruits, and shoots, or make galls on at least eight families of dicotyledonous plants, including Caprifoliaceae, Bignoniaceae, and Rubiaceae" (Dugdale et al. 1999, cited by Landry and Landry, 2004).
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: "The distribution of A. adriendenisi (Fig. 22) extends from western Quebec (Abitibi) and New York State in the East to Alberta and the Northwest Territories in the Northwest, with southern populations (isolated?) in West Virginia, Arizona, and Texas" (Landry and Landry, 2004).
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: Overwinters as an adult in caves or under bark (Landry and Landry, 2004). Adults have been collected from April to November.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our sole specimen comes from a mature, rich stand of basic-mesic hardwoods, which is consistent with the habitats used by Lonicera dioica.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae have been found feeding on the flowers of Limber Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica) (Landry & Landry, 2004). Adults have also been collected in areas with other species of Lonicera and also Northern Bush-honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Both L. dioica and D. lonicera have been recorded at the site where our one specimen was collected. - View
Observation Methods: This species commonly flies during the day but can also be found at lights at night. Our one specimen was collected using a 15 watt UV trap.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Rich Montane Hardwood Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [SR]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S1S2
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be an extremely rare northern disjunct; the next nearest recorded populations are in West Virginia and northern New York state, both also represented by just a few specimens.

 Photo Gallery for Alucita adriendenisi - A Many-Plumed Moth

Photos: 1

Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2000-05-02
Ashe Co.
Comment: Identity confirmed by J. Landry