Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFChoreutidae Members:
Choreutis Members:
1 NC Records

Choreutis diana (Hübner, 1819) - Diana's Choreutis Moth

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Choreutoidea Family: ChoreutidaeSubfamily: ChoreutinaeTribe: [Choreutini]P3 Number: 580028.00 MONA Number: 2651.00
Comments: The genus Choreutis contains 33 described species that are mostly found in Eurasia and southeast Asia.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Dombroskie (2003); Powell and Opler (2009)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Powell and Opler (2009)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based on that of Dombroskie (2003). Individuals are variable in external coloration and patterning. The head and thorax are gray to greenish and the abdomen brown. The forewing is mottled, often with some green or bluish-green coloration. The AM line is black, jagged, widest at the costa, and usually has a pale greenish to white band that adjoins the posterior margin. The median area is pale to dark olive or olive brown. The PM line is black, and is often only visible as two sharp black teeth on the dorsal half. The area around the PM line is often heavily dusted with grayish to whitish scales, or can be mottled with brown to olive coloration. The subterminal line is black and sometimes very distinct. The terminal line is usually reddish brown, with a thin dark brown outer border. The fringe is pale grayish with dark brown at the anal angle, middle, and apex. The hindwing is chocolate brown, slightly darker towards the outer margin, and with a thin dark brown border along the outer margin. The fringe is pale gray and darker on the outside. Choreutis pariana is similar but has a mostly brownish forewing. The terminal line is dark brown and often complete, and the center of wing is mostly smudged brown.
Wingspan: 11-12 mm
Forewing Length: 6-7 mm (Powell and Opler, 2009).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are leaf-folders that feed on broadleaf trees such as alders and birches. They skeletonize the upper surface of the leaves from within the fold, which causes the leaves to turn brown. Pupation occurs in a tough cocoon with blunt ends under a sheet of silk (Powell and Opler, 2009).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This is a circumboreal species that is found in both western Eurasia and North America, including forested areas of Canada and the eastern and western US. North American populations are thought to be native based on very old museum records. In the US, populations occur in the northeastern states westward to the Great Lakes region. Farther west they occur in mountainous regions of California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and a few other western states. As of 2020, our one record from the western mountains represents a significant southern disjunct.
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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Flight Comments: Local populations are single brooded (Powell and Opler, 2009). Adults records are from April through October, with a peak in seasonal activity from July through September. Our one record is from 22 July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This is a circumboreal species that is found at higher latitudes in both western Eurasia and North America. Populations are typically found in cool, moist, forested sites with alders, willows, birches, and other host plants. The adults nectar on wildflowers such as goldenrods, so areas with a mix of hardwood trees and more open, sunny areas are ideal.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on northern hardwood species (Dombroskie, 2003; Powell and Opler, 2009). The known hosts include Red Alder (Alnus rubra), Gray Alder (Alnus incana), Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera), a willow (Salix sp.), and a cherry (Prunus sp.) - View
Observation Methods: Adults are attracted to lights and are often observed nectaring during the day on oxeye daisies, goldenrods, and other wildflowers.
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: We currently have only a single historical record from a high elevation site in the Great Smoky Mountains.