Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFTortricidae Members: Episimus Members: 63 NC Records

Episimus argutana (Clemens, 1860) - Sumac Leaftier Moth

Episimus argutana
view caption 		Episimus argutanaEpisimus argutanaEpisimus argutana
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Tortricoidea		 Family:
Tortricidae		Subfamily:
Olethreutinae		Tribe:
Olethreutini		P3 Number:
51a0485		 MONA Number:
2701.00
Comments: As currently recognized, Episimus argutana exhibits substantial geographic variation in molecular markers and likely reflects a species complex.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are solitary leaf rollers and folders that feed on a variety of broadleaf plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Episimus argutana
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Immature 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:
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are polyphagous, with sumacs and Witch-hazel being two of the most commonly used host groups (Forbes, 1923; Heinrich, 1926; Craighead et al., 1950; Schaffner, 1959; Prentice, 1966; Baker, 1972; Godfrey et al., 1987; Robinson et al., 2010, Beadle and Leckie, 2018). The reported hosts include alders (Alnus), Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), hawthorns (Crataegus), Wild Poinsettia (Euphorbia cyathophora), Mexican Fireplant (E. heterophylla), American Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum), Smooth Sumac (R. glabra), Staghorn Sumac (R. typhina), elderberries (Sambucus), goldenrods (Solidago), Atlantic Poison-oak (Toxicodendron pubescens), Poison-ivy (T. radicans), elms (Ulmus), and grapes (Vitis). In North Carolina, larvae have been found in leaf-folds on Witch-hazel. - View
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Episimus argutana - Sumac Leaftier Moth

66 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-08-27
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-08-27
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-08-14
Pamlico Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-08-14
Pamlico Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-09
Mitchell Co.
Comment: Unoccupied leaf folds were on Witch Hazel; id is tentative and adults need to be reared. 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-08
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2024-06-27
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-26
Yancey Co.
Comment: Unoccupied leaf folds were on Witch Hazel; id is tentative and adults need to be reared. 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Patrick Coin, Mark Basinger on 2024-06-16
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-10
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-05-13
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-12
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2024-05-03
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-07
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-03
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-17
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-11
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-30
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-30
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-05-28
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-05-20
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-05-20
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-05-17
Chatham Co.
Comment: