Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Tortricidae Members:	Eucosma Members:	37 NC Records

Eucosma parmatana (Clemens, 1860) - Aster Eucosma

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Tortricoidea

Family:
Tortricidae

Subfamily:
Olethreutinae

Tribe:
Eucosmini

P3 Number:
51a0832

MONA Number:
2937.00

MONA Synonym:
Phaneta parmatana, Phaneta marmontana

Other Common Name:
Variable Eucosma

Comments: Eucosma parmatana is one of five species with similar genitalia that Wright and Gilligan (2015) recognized as the parmatana species group. This species (sensu Wright and Gilligan, 2015) has had a complex taxonomic history with numerous species being described with parmatana-like phenotypes, and mostly differing in the size of the interfascial spot on the inner margin of the forewing. Miller (1983) treated five of these as synonyms of E. parmatana and Wright and Gilligan (2015) relegated a sixth species to synonymy, while retaining one western form (E. oregonensis) as a separate species. The authors noted that a thorough study in needed of the complex before any additional taxonomic changes are made.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Wright and Gilligan (2015)

Adult Markings: The following description is mostly based on that of Wright and Gilligan (2015) and applies best to the typical forms that are found in North Carolina. The head and palps vary from grayish to brown. The ground color of the forewing is similar and is overlain with a weakly expressed, blackish-brown, subbasal and median fascia. The most conspicuous mark is a variably expressed white patch on the inner margin. It is located near the middle and between the subbasal and median fascias, and when fully developed terminates near the center of the wing. The ocellus is conspicuous, with the central field crossed by two or three black dashes. The costal strigulae are well-defined and often white, but sometimes concolorous with the grayish ground color. The hindwing varies from grayish-brown to brown and has a slightly paler fringe. Wright and Gilligan (2015) have illustrations of many of the phenotypic variants that occur across the range, as well as a comprehensive summary of the taxonomic history of this species.

Forewing Length: 4.6-7.8 mm; mean = 6.0 mm (Wright and Gilligan, 2015)

Adult Structural Features: Wright and Gilligan (2015) provide illustrations of the male and female genitalia, along with a general description of the genitalia that applies to all members of the parmatana species group. The general description for members of this group follows. In males, the uncus is moderately developed with the apex usually rounded. The valva has a concave costal margin, and the ventral emargination is deep to moderate and U-shaped. The saccular corner is angulate, and the cucullus is elongate, with the dorsal lobe strongly developed. The apex is rounded and the distal margin is convex to nearly straight, while the ventral lobe is moderately developed and the anal angle is narrowly rounded.

In females, the papillae anales are moderately setose and microtrichiate. The sterigma is moderately elongated, and the lamella postvaginalis is rectangular, with the lateral margins fused with the posterior lobes of sternum 7. Sternum 7 has moderately to strongly developed semi-triangular lateral extremities. Scaling of sternum 7 is dense on the posterior lobes and lateral projections, and relatively sparse elsewhere. The ductus bursae has a sclerotized ring at the juncture with the ductus seminalis, and the corpus bursae has one signum that is slightly larger than the other.

Genitalia and other structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Immatures and Development: Members of the E. parmatana complex have been found feeding on the flower heads of asters, but details of the life history are undocumented.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Eucosma parmatana (sensu Wright and Gilligan, 2015) occupies a broad area of North America from the Rocky Mountains eastward to the Atlantic Seaboard. The authors examined specimens from Nova Scotia to Alberta, and as far south as Alabama, Louisiana, and Arizona. Pohl et al. (2018) have records for Canada that extend from the Yukon Territory and British Columbia eastward to Prince Edward Island. As of 2022, most of our records are from the Blue Ridge, with a few others from the Piedmont.

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: The adults have been observed from April through September, with a seasonal peak typically in July through August. As of 2022, our records are from late-July through mid-September.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations occur in both forest and forest edge habitats, as well as more open habitats that support asters.

Larval Host Plants: Members of the E. parmatana complex have been found feeding on the flower heads of asters, including Bigleaf Aster (Eurybia macrophylla), White Panicle Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. lanceolatum), and Lindley's Aster (S. ciliolatum). - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3-S5]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Eucosma parmatana - Aster Eucosma

41 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-09-24 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish, John F. Jarvis on 2025-09-05 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2025-08-29 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-29 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-29 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Marilyn Westphal and Becky Elkin. on 2025-08-17 Henderson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Marilyn Westphal and Becky Elkin. on 2025-08-17 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Kevin Bischof, Rich Teper, Patrick Coin on 2025-08-16 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2024-09-24 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2024-09-19 Davidson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-09-13 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-09-13 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2024-09-10 Davidson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2024-09-07 Alamance Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-23 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-22 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-11 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-11 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-09-16 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-09-16 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2023-09-06 Davidson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-30 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-22 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-22 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2023-08-17 Watauga Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31 Macon Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30 Swain Co. Comment: