Moths of North Carolina
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Common Name:
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View PDFHeliozelidae Members:
Aspilanta Members:
3 NC Records

Aspilanta argentifera (Braun, 1927) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Family: HeliozelidaeP3 Number: 21a0085 MONA Number: 242.00
Comments: The genus Antispila has traditionally been a catch-all genus for a large group of similarly patterned species with a fascia before the middle of the forewing and a pair of opposing spots. Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020) placed a cluster of six species that have reduced wing venation in a separate genus, Aspilanta. Antispila species in North America never have an apical spot, while Aspilanta species do, with the exception of A. viticordifoliella.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020) Technical Description, Immature Stages: Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020)                                                                                  
Adult Markings: In this species the head has bronze brown or brassy scales, while the antenna is dark throughout and lacks a conspicuous white tip. The forewing has an apical silver spot, a complete fascia at one-fourth the wing length, and two opposite spots at around two-thirds. The dorsal spot is more triangular-shaped than the opposing costal spot. The forewing has a gray brown fringe with a rather indistinct fringe line (Nieukerken and Eiseman, 2020).

Aspilanta argentifera superficially resembles several other Aspilanta, but can be distinguished by its darker brassy head scaling, the absence of a white tip on the antenna, and its grayish to grayish-brown fringe that has an indistinct fringe line. Eiseman (2021) reported that an undescribed species of Aspilanta that uses the same host plants has been found from Florida and Louisiana northward to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. It is also present in North Carolina. Fortunately, the mines are sufficiently different to distinguish between the two species.
Wingspan: 4.0–5.2 mm
Forewing Length: 1.8–2.4 mm
Adult Structural Features: In males, the tegumen is distinctly bilobed, the valvae have 9–12 pecten sensilla, and the phallus lacks strong appendices (Nieukerken and Eiseman, 2020; only one slide examined).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020) noted that the females typically insert single eggs at the midrib. The mine is initially linear and tends to follow the midrib towards the apex. It later becomes a small blotch that extends from the midrib to the leaf margin. The frass is blackish, and may be either dispersed or concentrated near the beginning of the mine. The linear portion typically has a wide frass line in the middle. The authors noted that the mines on Comptonia are usually very compact, while those on Morella and Myrica are more elongated. They also observed several mines that crossed the midrib when on Myrica gale. This caused the leaf tip to wilt and in some cases fall off. When finished feeding the final instar cuts out an elliptic case that is 2.5–3.5 mm long.
The larvae are pale yellowish green with a brown head and prothorax.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Scattered records of this species have been recorded in Canada (Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec). and in the US in Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. As of 2023, we have only three records, and all are from Scotland County.
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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Immature 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: Populations in many areas appear to be bivoltine. Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020) noted that larvae from fall mines overwinter, with the adults emerging with the spring warm-up. The larvae have been found in July and September to November, and the adults in June through August. Mines of the first generation seem to be very scarce. As of 2023, our few records for occupied mines are all from the fall months.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The larvae are generally found in habitats that support members of the Myricaceae.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae mine the leaves of members of the Myricaceae (Nieukerken and Eiseman, 2020). The known hosts include Sweet-fern (Comptonia peregrina), Southern Bayberry (Morella caroliniensis, including M. pensylvanica). Common Waxmyrtle (M. cerifera), and Sweet-gale (Myrica gale). As of 2023, all of our records are for Common Waxmyrtle. - View
Observation Methods: We recommend searching for mines on members of the Myricaceae and rearing the adults.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Myricaceous Thickets
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR] SU
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be rare in North Carolina, but this may be an artifact of undercollecting.