Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFHeliozelidae Members:
Antispila Members:
6 NC Records

Antispila isabella Clemens, 1860 - No Common Name


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Taxonomy
Family: HeliozelidaeP3 Number: 210079.00 MONA Number: 236.00
Species Status: Antispila isabella was described by Clemens (1860) and is now thought to be a cryptic species complex involving two or more grape-feeding species. Nieukerken et al. (2012) recognized two barcode clusters as "A. cf isabella" and "A. vitis2" which may prove to be distinct species. Here, we designate all of the genetic groups within this complex as A. isabella, with the understanding that future research may reveal two or more closely related forms.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Clemens (1860)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Nieukerken et al. (2012)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species, the head is golden and the antenna purplish brown. The forewing varies from brownish-black to purplish-black and has a complete silvery white to light golden fascia at about one-fourth the wing length. The only other marks are a matched pair of triangular-shaped, costal and dorsal spots of similar color at about three-fifths. Males in most populations have conspicuous yellow or brown androconial scales on the underside of the forewing (Nieukerken et al., 2012). Antispila isabella (sensu lato and including A. cf isabella and A. vitis2) is a relatively large species that does not have an apical spot as seen is many related species.
Wingspan: 5.5 mm (estimate from a specimen in Nieukerken et al., 2012).
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the leaves of grapes and the mines are much larger, and also have much larger cut-outs, than other grape miners. The mines of the two genetic groups that were distinguished by Nieukerken et al. (2012) have different characteristics. The eggs of both types are typically deposited singly near a vein and lack a linear portion. The larva of the first type produces a large blotch mine, with a roundish patch of reddish frass near the beginning. The mine often has dispersed black frass throughout, and the cut-out is large (5.0 mm long). The mines of the second type (A. vitis2) are relatively compact blotches, with the frass concentrated in a mushroom shape or a reversed triangular shape near the beginning of the mine. The cut-out is also large (4.8 mm). The last instars cut out an oval hole and construct a pupal case. The larvae in most local populations appear to be either univoltine or bivoltine. Larvae that feed in late summer typically overwintering in pupal cases on the ground and the adults emerging the following spring or early summer. One larva that Tracy Feldman collected in North Carolina in late July emerged as an adult about a month later, which suggests that populations in the Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont may be bivoltine. It is uncertain if mountain populations produce a second brood.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Nieukerken et al. (2012) and Eiseman (2022) have documented populations in Ontario, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina and Georgia. As of 2024, we have limited records from four counties, including two in the eastern Piedmont and two in the Blue Ridge.
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)

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