Moths of North Carolina
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2 NC Records

Glyphipterix nordini Heppner, 1997 - No Common Name

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Yponomeutoidea Family: GlyphipterigidaeSubfamily: GlyphipteriginaeP3 Number: 360122.00 MONA Number: 2344.90
Comments: Glyphipterix is a large genus of small moths with more than 340 described species worldwide and 29 species in North America (Heppner 1985, 1997).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Heppner, 1997.                                                                                  
Adult Markings: This is a boldly marked species with distinctive forewing patterning. The following description is based on the original description by Heppner (1997). The labial palp is white, except for dorsal fuscous coloration, and has four evenly spaced black bands from segment 2 to near the apex. The head and antenna are fuscous, and the antenna is about half as long as the forewing length. The thorax is fuscous above with white on the venter.

The forewing has a fuscous ground color with a golden sheen. The costal margin has five white marks, and each has a silver spot or streak on the mesal end that may appear bluish depending on the angle of light. The mark nearest the wing base merges with a prominent whitish dorsal mark near the base. The apical mark on the costa is enlarged, widest at the base, and curved. In addition to the large basal white mark on the dorsal margin, there is another large white mark at mid-wing with a large silver or bluish spot or streak. The apical third of the wing has a large patch of yellow-ocherous scaling with many fine horizontal black lines, and a large tornal patch of alternating black and silver spots. These include two silver or bluish spots centrally, and four on the tornal margin. The fringe is fuscous except for a white patch in the mid-termen region that merges with a silver or bluish line that extends to the penultimate white costal mark. The legs are silvery-white with fuscous below and on the tarsal segments.

This species superficially resembles G. circumscriptella, and is best distinguished by the tornal patch with six silvery or bluish spots, along with the large white triangular mark on the costa near the apex.
Wingspan: 13-17 mm (Heppner 1997).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae probably bore into the seeds, stems, or axils of their host plants, which are probably graminoids.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This is a seemingly rare species that is known from only a few localities in the eastern US. At the time of its description only three populations were known: two in Menifee Co. in eastern Kentucky, and one in Johnson Co., Arkansas. As of 2021, we have only two records from a single site in Madison County. These specimens, along with a single specimen from nearly Unicoi Co. in eastern Tennessee (iNaturalist), are perhaps the only known specimens that has been documented since 1997.
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: Many species in this genus appear to be univoltine (Heppner 1985) but we do not yet have enough information to determine the phenology of this species in North Carolina. All specimens to date have been collected during a brief period from 10-31 May. Local populations such as the one in Madison Co. likely have even more restricted flight periods.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Habitats in the vicinity of the North Carolina collection site included a small, moderately shaded, wetland that was dominated by Drooping Sedge (Carex prasina).
Larval Host Plants: The host plants of most Glyphipterix species are unknown, but members of the Cyperaceae and Juncaceae (sedges and rushes) serve as hosts to at least some North American species (Heppner, 1985). As of 2021, this species is known in North Carolina from only a single site in Madison Co., where a small wetland with a large stand of Carex prasina was nearby. - View
Observation Methods: Members of the Glyphipteridae are diurnally active (Heppner, 1985) and are frequently found on leaves or flowers near their host plants. However, individuals do occasionally come to lights.
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: Glyphipterix nordini is a rarely collected species that is known from only a few sites in the eastern US. As of 2021, we have only two records from a single site in Madison County. These specimens, along with a single specimen from nearly Unicoi Co. in eastern Tennessee (iNaturalist), are perhaps the only known specimens that has been documented since 1997. The dearth of records for G.nordini may in part be due to an abbreviated flight period and its diurnal activity. Until more is known about its distribution, abundance, and host plant/habitat specificity, we are unable to accurately estimate its conservation status in North Carolina.

 Photo Gallery for Glyphipterix nordini - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-31
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-31
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-05-18
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-05-18
Madison Co.
Comment: