Moths of North Carolina
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Paralobesia Members:
3 NC Records

Paralobesia magnoliana (Kearfott, 1907) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: OlethreutiniP3 Number: 51a0505.6 MONA Number: 2711.10
Comments: Paralobesia is a genus of small tortricid moths, with the majority of species found in the Nearctic Region. Royals et al. (2019) recently completed a much-needed revision of the genus, which now includes 43 species. Only 19 species were described prior to their work, and there appear to be a few remaining undescribed species in North America where there is insufficient material or data to formally describe them (Royals et al., 2019). We currently have 12 described species in North Carolina, as well as one undescribed species (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.). Many are very similar in external coloration and patterning, and are best identified using either genitalia or rearing from host-specific plants.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Royals et al. (2019)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Paralobesia liriodendrana and P. magnoliana were previously treated as a single species, but are now considered to be two cryptic species that cannot be distinguished based on external coloration and patterning (Royals et al., 2019). The following description applies to both species and is based in part on that of Royals et al. (2019). The vertex is pale reddish-brown and the labial palps pale-brown to reddish-brown. The thorax is mottled with reddish-orange and tan scales, and the posterior crest is mottled with dark-brown and orange scales. The ground color of the forewing is bluish-gray and is most prominent on the basal half of the wing where it is typically separated by a thin, outwardly angulated band at around one-fourth the wing length. The most prominent mark is a large median fascia that extends from the costa to the inner margin, with the dorsal half greatly expanded distally. The median fascia varies from uniformly dark brown to two-toned, with the dorsal half lighter and tending towards reddish-brown. The median fascia is followed by a prominent subterminal band (blotch) that is centered near the middle of the wing, along with several smaller blotches between it and the apical third of the costa. In North Carolina specimens, these tend to be lighter than the median fascia and are margined with light reddish-tan scales. The fringe is light reddish-brown, and the hindwing is uniformly brown to dark brown. The abdomen is grayish-brown above.

This species is best confirmed by using genitalia or DNA barcoding given that it is indistinguishable from P. magnoliana. Paralobesia viteana is also very similar, but has a bluish-gray fringe (Forbes, 1923) versus the light reddish-brown fringe of P. liriodendrana and P. magnoliana. In addition, the costal remnant of the post-median fascia (the small, dark costal mark between the median fascia and the subterminal band) is reduced in size relative to that of P. liriodendrana complex, which is larger and more rectangular-shaped.
Forewing Length: Males: 5.4-6.1 mm; mean = 5.6 mm; females: 4.8-6.5 mm; mean = 5.7 mm (Royals et al., 2019).
Adult Structural Features: Royals et al. (2019) provide descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented, but is presumed to be very similar to that of P. liriodendrana.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: There are only a few scattered records for this species, with the range extending from southwestern Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle northward through North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland to New Jersey (Royals et al., 2019). As of 2024, we have two records from the Blue ridge and one From the Coast.
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
Flight Comments: Royals et al. (2019) identified specimens that were collected from late-March to mid-August in different areas of the range. As of 2024, our very limited records are from early-April through mid-June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are restricted to mesic hardwood forests, semi-wooded residential communities, and other wooded habitats that have Liriodendron and Magnolia species present.
Larval Host Plants: Although host records are sparse, the larvae presumably only feed on members of the Magnoliaceae. The documented hosts include the Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and a magnolia (Magnolia sp.; Royals et al., 2019). - View
Observation Methods: The adults appear to be only weakly attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2S3]
State Protection:
Comments: The species is probably more common than our records suggest since it was only recently resurrected as a full species and identification requires genitalia.