Moths of North Carolina
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3 NC Records

Aterpia approximana (Heinrich, 1919) - Sparkling Aterpia

Aterpia approximanaAterpia approximana
view caption 		Aterpia approximana
view caption
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: OlethreutiniP3 Number: 51a0516 MONA Number: 2748.00
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 have been observed feeding on the leaves of loosestrifes and Seaside Brookweed. Eiseman and Feldman (2024) reported that the larva first mines the midrib where the hollowed out portion is used as a shelter when not feeding. When feeding on loosestrifes, they then feed on the adjoining leaf blade beneath a pseudomine that is constructed by spinning a sheet of silk on the lower leaf surface. The pseudomine superficially resembles a blotch mine, and the larva consumes all leaf tissue beneath this except for the upper epidermis. Frass is deposited in the silk canopy of the pseudomine and in the midrib, which the larva continues to use as a retreat when not feeding. The larva eventually shifts to feeding between tied and somewhat crumbled leaves and, at least in northern populations, appears to overwinter in a a silken chamber, with the adults emerging the following year.

A larva that Tracy Feldman reared from Seaside Brookweed in North Carolina consumed all green tissue within a portion of the midrib, then produced a full-depth mine in the adjoining tissues, with the frass deposited in the mine. The mine initially extended a short distance the adjacent leaf blade, but later expanded to encompass the entire leaf. The larvae eventually exited the mine and fed externally. Pupation occurred beneath a folded leaf margin, with the adult emerging after about three weeks.

The larvae are rather nondescript, with pale-yellowish to translucent greenish or greenish-blue bodies. The head of later-instars observed by Eiseman and Feldman (2024) was whitish with orange dorsal and lateral mottling, black eyespots, and an elongate black spot at the posterior margin behind each eyespot. The body was translucent dark green dorsally in the anterior half, gradually becoming paler posteriorly, and greenish- or bluish-white below the spiracles, with a conspicuous, irregular, roundish black spot above the spiracle on the prothorax.
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
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: Gilligan et al. (2008) reported that adults fly from June to early September in the Midwest, which suggests that there may be two broods per year.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: Larvae are reported to feed on loosestrifes (Lysimachia and Steironema), Seaside Brookweed (Samolus parviflorus) and possibly a Lythrum), but the latter was likely a species of Lysimachia (Heinrich, 1926; Ferguson, 1975; Godfrey et al. 1987; Eiseman and Feldman, 2024). In North Carolina, Tracy Feldman reared a larva from Seaside Brookweed (Samolus parviflorus), while several individuals have reared adults from Fringed Loosestrife (Steironema ciliatum = Lysimachia ciliata) from more northern locales (Eiseman and Feldman, 2024). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights; we need additional observations on host use in North Carolina.
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 Aterpia approximana - Sparkling Aterpia

Photos: 4

Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-06-23
Beaufort Co.
Comment: Midvein/leaf miner on Samolus parviflorus, then young larva emerged and fed on one surface of the leaf. After feeding on a few other leaf surfaces, it pupated in a folded-over leaf tip (adult reared and emerged on 2022-07-16). 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-06-23
Beaufort Co.
Comment: Midvein/leaf miner on Samolus parviflorus, then young larva emerged and fed on one surface of the leaf. After feeding on a few other leaf surfaces, it pupated in a folded-over leaf tip (adult reared and emerged on 2022-07-16).
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-06-23
Beaufort Co.
Comment: Midvein/leaf miner on Samolus parviflorus, then young larva emerged and fed on one surface of the leaf. After feeding on a few other leaf surfaces, it pupated in a folded-over leaf tip (adult reared and emerged on 2022-07-16). 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2022-06-09
Ashe Co.
Comment: