Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Tortricidae Members:	Paralobesia Members:	2 NC Records

Paralobesia monotropana (Heinrich, 1926) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy

Family:
Tortricidae

Subfamily:
Olethreutinae

Tribe:
Olethreutini

P3 Number:
51a0495

MONA Number:
2713.00

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, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Royals et al. (2019)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Royals et al. (2019)

Adult Markings: The following description is primarily from that of Royals et al. (2019). The vertex is pale reddish-brown and the labial palps pale-brown to reddish-brown. The second segment of the palp is rough scaled, while the third is smooth scaled. 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, dark band at around one-fourth the wing length. The most prominent mark is a large median fascia that extends from the costa to near 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, dark 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. All of these are margined with light reddish-tan scales. The costal remnant of the post-median fascia (the first dark costal mark that follows the median fascia) is well developed and more-or-less rectangular-shaped. It or other dark marks along the costa are often connected to the dark subterminal band by a narrow neck. The costal strigulae consist of 3-9 pairs that are expressed as pale brown dashes along the costa. The legs are pale brown with white annulations on the tibia and tarsal segments. The hindwing is uniform dark brown with paler scales at the base, and the abdomen varies from pale to dark brown. This species is generally similar to some of our other Paralobesia such as P. liriodendrana and is best confirmed by either rearing the adults or using genitalia or DNA barcoding.

Forewing Length: 4.2-5.2 mm (Royals et al., 2019).

Adult Structural Features: Royals et al. (2019) have descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.

Genitalia and other structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.

Immatures and Development: The larvae mostly feed on Indian Pipe. Royals et al. (2019) noted that the first instar larvae enter the developing ovary through the pistil, then feed on the interior ovary tissue. They do not feed on the seeds, but will feed on stem pith if the ovary tissue is completely consumed. Jim Petranka found larvae in Indian Pipe flower heads in Madison County. The larvae fed on the ovary tissue, and a bore hole was made where frass was deposited outside on the ovary. Larvae that were reared exited the fruits and pupated in faint silk cocoons along the edges of the zip-lock bag, with the adult emerging after about two weeks. The older instars were rather nondescript with light dirty-gray bodies and a light amber-colored heads. The prothoracic shield was slightly lighter than the body color, but otherwise similar.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Paralobesia monotropana is widely distributed in eastern North America. Specimens that were identified by Royals et al. (2019) were from southeastern Canada (Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick; Newfoundland; Labrador; Nova Scotia), and the U.S. from Maine southwestward to central Alabama and northern Mississippi, and westward to Ohio and Illinois. As of 2024, we have a single record from a lower-elevation site in the central Blue Ridge.

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
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: Royals et al. (2019) reported a flight season from early-June to late-August based on the specimens that they examined from throughout the range. Our one larval record as of 2024 was from late-July, with a reared adult emerging in mid-August.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are associated with hardwood forests, mixed pine-hardwood forests, and edge habitats where the hosts species are present.

Larval Host Plants: This species appears to largely specialize on Indian-pipe (Monotropa uniflora), but also has been found in the flower heads of Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina; Royals et al., 2019). Jim Petranka reared three adults from larvae that were feeding on Indian Pipe, which is our only host record for North Carolina as of 2024. - View

Observation Methods: Most of the records to date are for specimens that have been reared from Indian Pipe.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[SU]

State Protection:

Comments: As of 2024, we have only one record for the state from Madison County. This species in all likelihood has been under collected due to its use of Indian Pipes as a host species.

Photo Gallery for Paralobesia monotropana - None

Photos: 4

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-08-17 Madison Co. Comment: Larvae were in Monotropa uniflora fruits on July 24. They exited the fruits and pupated in faint silk cocoons along the edges of the zip-lock in early August; first adult (shown here) emerged on August 17, 2023.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-07-24 Madison Co. Comment: A larva that was removed from a fruiting capsule of Monotropa uniflora.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-07-24 Madison Co. Comment: A larva that was removed from a fruiting capsule of Monotropa uniflora.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-07-24 Madison Co. Comment: An occupied seed capsule with a larva; note the bore hole in the middle and frass that was expelled from the hole.