Moths of North Carolina
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Pelochrista Members:
4 NC Records

Pelochrista argentialbana (Walsingham, 1879) - No Common Name

Pelochrista argentialbanaPelochrista argentialbanaPelochrista argentialbanaPelochrista argentialbana
Taxonomy
Family: TortricidaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 51a0897.2 MONA Number: 3038.00
Comments: Pelochrista is a large Holarctic genus of tortricids with around 75% of the 226 described species being native to North America (Wright and Gilligan, 2017). The highest species richness occurs in the western half of North America. The genus has a long and confusing taxonomic history, with many of the species formerly placed in the genus Eucosma. Gilligan et al. (2014) conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Pelochrista, Eucosma, and related genera and redefined the genus Eucosma and Pelochrista based on differences in female genitalia. The great majority of Pelochrista species are known only from adults, which likely reflects the fact that the larvae of most species bore into stem bases and roots and are concealed from view. Members of the Asteraceae are the likely hosts for most species (Wright and Gilligan, 2017), but much work need to be done to identifying the hosts.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Wright and Gilligan (2017)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species is wide-ranging across North America and geographically variable (Wright and Gilligan, 2017). In eastern populations the head, palps, and antennae are dull white to tannish-white and usually lighter than the ground of the forewing. The forewing ground color varies from white to pale yellowish orange and has varying levels of gray suffusion. A series of variable grayish brown to light orange brown lines and striations are present that can cover most to only the apical third of the wing. A series of marks and/or striae are present on the distal half of the costa that contribute to the overall striated appearance (illustrated in Wright and Gilligan, 2017). The wing lacks an ocellus and the termen has a narrow salt-and-pepper-colored band from the tornus to the apex. The hindwing varies from dull white to light grayish-brown and has a wide, pale fringe. This is the only member of the agricolana group that is in North Carolina and fresh specimens can usually be identified by external coloration and patterning. Some specimens may need to be verified by using genitalia.
Forewing Length: 6.16-11.8 mm; mean 9.1 mm (Wright and Gilligan, 2017)
Adult Structural Features: Wright and Gilligan (2017) provide illustrations of the male and female genitalia and provide a general description of the genitalia of members of the agricolana group as follows: Male genitalia. The uncus is strongly developed, usually rectangular, and often with the apical margin medially indented. The socii are slender and cylindrical, with the length about 4 times the diameter. The phallus is moderately long and tapers distally with the base loosely surrounded by the anellus. The vesica has 7-27 cornuti. The valva has a concave costal margin and a ventral emargination that is somewhat U-shaped. The saccular corner is angulate and the basal process tab-like and moderately developed. The cucullus has the dorsal lobe moderately to strongly developed, the apex rounded, the distal margin convex, the ventral lobe strongly developed and triangular, and the basoventral margin weakly overlapping the ventral margin of neck. The vertex of anal angle has a stout anal spine.

Female genitalia. The papillae anales has posterior lobes of moderate width. The ventral extensions are strongly developed with moderately stout hook-tipped setae present along the ventral margin and clustering at the anterior extremities of the anterior lobes. Tergum 8 is narrow and collar-like and the membrane between the anterior lobes of the papillae anales and ventral extremities of tergum 8 is weakly sclerotized. The sterigma is Type III, and the lamella postvaginalis is often rectangular, but sometimes broadening slightly posteriorlv with the lateral margins weakly curled inward, the posterior margin variably indented, and the central trough weakly depressed and microtrichiate. Sternum 7 is trapezoidal, with the width at the anterior margin about 1.3-2.0 times that at the posterior margin. The scaling of sternum 7 is dense on the lateral and posterior margins and comparatively sparse elsewhere. The membrane between Stema 6 and 7 has a pair of variably developed pockets and the ductus bursae has a variably shaped patch of sclerotization posterior to the juncture with the ductus seminalis and a patch of microtrichia on the inner surface near the ductus seminalis. The corpus bursae has two signa, with one larger than the other.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Like most Pelochrista, the larval life history and ecology are poorly documented. Very limited evidence suggests that the larvae are root-borers on composites (Wright and Gilligan, 2017).
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Pelochrista argentialbana is broadly distributed across North America, including much of southern Canada from Quebec to British Columbia. The range extends southward in the western US to southern California, Arizona, and Colorado, and to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee in the east.
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 seen from March through September in different areas of the range, but mostly in June and July. As of 2022, our one dated record is from mid-July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented for eastern populations.
Larval Host Plants: The host plants are poorly documented, but limited evidence suggests that composites may be the primary host. Individuals from one western population were reared on Common Wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris), while another listed larvae feeding on the roots of Chrysanthemum in Colorado. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments: We have a very limited number of records and do not have sufficient information to assess the conservation status of this species within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Pelochrista argentialbana - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2023-06-00
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka and Jim Petranka on 2023-05-19
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka and Jim Petranka on 2023-05-19
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka and Jim Petranka on 2023-05-19
Moore Co.
Comment: