Moths of North Carolina
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Leucomele Members:
5 NC Records

Leucomele miriamella Dietz, 1905 - No Common Name

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tineoidea Family: TineidaeP3 Number: 300123.00 MONA Number: 282.00
Comments: Leucomele is a monotypic genus that is restricted to eastern North America.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Dietz, 1905; Forbes, 1923                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based in part on those of Dietz (1905) and Forbes (1923). The head is entirely rough haired, and somewhat tufted each side. The face is yellowish white and the vertex and thorax blackish brown. The antenna are whitish with darker annulations, and about three-fifths the length of the wing. The labial palp is dark fuscous brown externally, and the second joint and apex of the third are whitish within. The ground color of the forewing is white and dusted with dark brown to black scales. These are concentrated in places to form streaks, bars, and spotting. A dark streak occurs from the base of the costa to about mid-wing where it angles inward and joins a relatively short longitudinal streak. A narrow white gap separates this from a large dark sub-terminal blotch. The blotch has one or more narrow extensions that reach towards the wing margin. There is typically one that extends towards the apex where it may join a rounded apical spot. Dark shading is usually evident at the base of the inner margin, and there are a couple of bars in the fold that are sometimes united into a longer dark streak. The cilia are whitish with a dark line near the apex (often missing in worn specimens). The hindwings and cilia are fuscous. Abdomen fuscous above and silvery gray below. The legs grayish, and the anterior and middle more or less fuscous externally. The tarsal joints are fuscous above. This species has somewhat variable patterning. It is best identified by the whitish face and black head and tufts, and the overall whitish forewing with dark streaking.
Wingspan: 9.5-14.0 mm (Dietz, 1905; Forbes, 1923)
Immatures and Development: The life history and ecology of the larval stage is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Leucomele miriamella is found in eastern North America, with populations occurring from southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick) and the New England states to as far south as southern Alabama, and westward to Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. This species is absent from most of the southeastern Coastal Plain. As of 2020, our few records are from the Piedmont and lower elevations in the mountains.
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: This species is univoltine, with almost all adults flying from June-August in areas outside of North Carolina. As of 2020, our records are from early June through early August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The habitats are poorly documented. Dietz (1905) reported that adults were observed resting on the trunk of a cherry tree.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are probably detritivores, scavengers or fungivores based on the known habits of other members of the Tineidae, but they have yet to be discovered. - View
Observation Methods: The adults visit lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SU
State Protection:
Comments: We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species within the state to assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Leucomele miriamella - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-05
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-07-01
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2020-06-30
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2020-06-30
Orange Co.
Comment: