Moths of North Carolina
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12 NC Records

Nemapogon clematella of authors (not Fabricius, 1781) - Barred White Clothes Moth

Nemapogon clematella of authorsNemapogon clematella of authors
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tineoidea Family: TineidaeSubfamily: NemapogoninaeTribe: [Nemapogonini]P3 Number: 300108 MONA Number: 263.50 MONA Synonym: Nemapogon clematella
Comments: Populations in Europe and eastern North America that were previously treated as a single species (Nemapogon clematella) exhibit marked differences in genitalia and DNA barcoding sequences and constitute two separate species. "True" N. clematella are evidently confined to Europe, while the North American group has yet to be named and are referred to here as "Nemapogon clematella of authors (not Fabricius, 1781)" (see Moth Photographers Group for additional details).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is an easily recognizable Nemapogon. The ground color of the head, tufts, thorax, forewing, and cilia are white. A dark costal spot occurs just beyond the wing base. This is followed near the middle by a broad, black, angulated band that extends from the costa to the inner margin. The band consists of a squarish or rectangular component at the costa, then continues as a broad streak that broadens towards the inner margin. One or more small spots or blotches are sometimes present beyond the median band on the apical third of the wing.
Wingspan: 12-15 mm
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae burrow in the fruiting bodies of bracket fungi or other fungi, and in decaying wood under the bark of dead elm, oak, beech and hawthorn (Heath and Emmet, 1985; Jaworski et al., 2016). The larvae overwinter, and pupation takes places in the fungus or wood the following spring.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is generally associated with hardwood forests where is feeds on fungi in decaying wood.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on fungi, including Hypoxylon fuscum and Fomes fomentarius. Larvae have been found mining in the fruiting bodies and growing under the bark of dead elm, oak, beech and hawthorn (Heath and Emmet, 1985; Jaworski et al., 2016). - View
Observation Methods: The adults occasionally visit lights. More information is needed on the larval ecology, and we encourage naturalists to check for the larvae on Fomes, Hypoxylon or other fungi on decaying hardwoods.
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: Populations are presumably more common than our limited records suggest since the adults do not appear to be strongly attracted to lights.

 Photo Gallery for Nemapogon clematella of authors - Barred White Clothes Moth

Photos: 5

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-26
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-26
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George on 2021-06-12
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-06-28
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Rob Van Epps on 2020-06-04
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: