Moths of North Carolina
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Rhyacionia Members:
23 NC Records

Rhyacionia granti Miller, 1985 - Jack Pine Tip Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 620707.00 MONA Number: 2879.10
Comments: The genus Rhyacionia is widespread in the Holarctic Region, ranging from Japan and Asia to the Caribbean Antilles and Mexico (Powell and Miller, 1978). There are 33 described species worldwide and 24 in North America. The larvae feed on the needles, buds, and growing tips of pines.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Miller (1985)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is based in part on the original description by Miller (1985). For North Carolina specimens, the labial palps are grayish, while the crown of the head, the anterior portion of the thorax, and the tegula have reddish scales. The length of the second segment of the labial palp is subequal to the eye diameter, and the length of the third segment is one-fourth that of the second. The front of the head is brownish black. The antennal pecten length is at least twice that of the antennal segment length, which is diagnostic for this species. The forewing has brownish black scales with white-tips on the basal two-thirds that form faint, irregular, dark and pale crossbands. The remainder of the forewing has a reddish-yellow wash except for a red terminal band that often has an inward triangular projection near the middle of the wing. The fringe is predominantly gray with a darker basal band, while the hindwing is light gray with a fringe that is similar to that of the forewing.

Rhyacionia granti and R. busckana are two cryptic species that are most easily distinguished by the male antennae. In R. granti the pecten is coarser and at least twice as long as that in R. busckana. The length of the pecten on the basal third of the antenna greatly exceeds the length of the antennal segments. In R. busckana, the pecten is shorter than the length of the antennal segments (see structural photos below). These species can also be distinguished by the male and female genitalia. Specimens of R. granti in North Carolina most commonly have reddish scales on the upper head and anterior regions of the thorax.
Forewing Length: 6.5-8.0 mm for males; 6.0-7.5 mm for females (Miller, 1985)
Adult Structural Features: Miller (1985) has descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia, as well as ways to distinguish R. granti from its cryptic sibling species, R. busckana. In R. granti males, the uncus is usually narrower and the aedeagal asymmetry less pronounced. In R. granti females, caudal widening of the sterigma is usually slight, while in R. busckana it is pronounced. The sterigma width in the former is less than three-fold the ostium bursae width, while in the latter it is three-fold or more.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on the needles and shoots of pines, but the larval life history has not been reported in detail. Miller (1985) noted that the larval use Jack Pine in Ontario. They complete feeding in early July and drop to the ground to pupate.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Rhyacionia granti is found in eastern North America, but the range is rather poorly documented. Populations have been documented in extreme southern Canada (Manitoba; Ontario; Quebec) and in the US from Wisconsin, northern Indiana, and Michigan eastward to New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland (Miller, 1985; Pohl et al., 2018). An apparent southern isolate occurs in Florida. As of 2021, all of our only records are from lower elevations in the western mountains. The North Carolina populations may be disjunct from populations farther north.
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)

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