Moths of North Carolina
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27 NC Records

Olethreutes griseoalbana (Walsingham, 1879) - Putty-patched Moth

Olethreutes griseoalbanaOlethreutes griseoalbanaOlethreutes griseoalbanaOlethreutes griseoalbana
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Tortricoidea		 Family:
Tortricidae		Subfamily:
Olethreutinae		Tribe:
Olethreutini		P3 Number:
51a0596		 MONA Number:
2828.00
Comments: Olethreutes is a large genus with over 130 recognized species worldwide. North America has around 80 recognized species, with at least 37 species occurring in North Carolina. Some species are very difficult to identify due to interspecific similarities in color and forewing pattern and only subtle differences in genitalia (Gilligan et al., 2008). In many instances, knowledge of the host plant is essential for a confident determination. All of the Nearctic species are leaf-tiers or leaf-rollers on deciduous trees and shrubs.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a distinctively marked Olethreutes that is not easily confused with any other species. The palps are white and the head tuft, thorax, and antenna black. The ground color of the forewing is a sordid white and contrast sharply with three blotches along the inner margin. These include a prominent black basal blotch that terminates before reaching the costa, an olive-green blotch near the middle, and an oval-shaped black blotch beyond this at around three-fourths. The middle and posterior blotches are margined with white scales and often separated by a region with dark mottling. The apical half of the costa has a series of black spots with olive-green striae or bands extending from them and projecting rearward. The subapical one commonly curves posteriorly as a thin line and parallels the outer margin, where it is preceded by a relatively large, outwardly oblique postmedial bar composed of olive-green and blackish scaling. The fringe is blackish-gray with a black basal band, while the hindwing is medium brown with a somewhat lighter fringe that has a narrow basal line.
Wingspan: 14-15 mm (Heinrich, 1926).
Forewing Length: 6.0-7.0 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2008) has illustrations of the male and female genitalia. The valva lacks a neck cavity. There is a patch of fine dense setae on the lateral surface of the basal portion of the valva, and the proximal end of the cucullus supports a cluster of stout spines. The lamella antevaginalis has a pair of flat, flaplike projections, and the corpus bursae has a signum.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Tyler and Sabourin (2023) discovered two early-instar larvae in late-August in Louisiana that were feeding in the folded leaves of Blackgum, where they skeletonized the tissues within the fold. A pupa was present on Oct 4, and an adult emerged an estimated 10-14 days later. Larvae in early larval stages were light green with a light brown head.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Olethreutes griseoalbana is found throughout much of the eastern US from New Hampshire and Massachusetts southward along the Atlantic Seaboard to Florida. The range extends westward to eastern Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, western Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. This species also occurs in adjoining areas of southern Ontario, and can be found statewide in North Carolina.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Olethreutes griseoalbana
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: The adults have been found from April through October in different areas of the range, with most flying from May through September. As of 2024, our records are from late-April through early-October. Most local populations in North Carolina appear to have two broods per year.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations appear to use gums (Nyssa) as hosts, which can be found in habitats ranging from bottomland forests and swamp forests to mesic and drier forested sites.
Larval Host Plants: Tyler and Sabourin (2023) recently documented this species feeding on Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), which is the only reported host as of 2024. We do not have any host records for North Carolina. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Gum and Tupelo Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S3S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species is widespread and appears to be somewhat common within the state. More information is needed on host use and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Olethreutes griseoalbana - Putty-patched Moth

Photos: 24

Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2024-09-07
Alamance Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-03
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-07-26
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-07-26
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-21
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-21
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-05-13
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-10-06
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-06-02
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-31
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-24
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-24
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-28
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2021-05-06
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-10
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-10
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-07-03
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-09-05
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-09-05
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-08-31
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: L. M. Carlson on 2019-07-29
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-06-30
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. DeSantis on 2014-07-27
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lori Owenby on 2011-04-23
Catawba Co.
Comment: