Moths of North Carolina
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Pelochrista Members:
6 NC Records

Pelochrista vagana (McDunnough, 1925) - No Common Name

Pelochrista vagana
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 51a0906.1 MONA Number: 3042.00
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.
Species Status: Pelochrista vagana is a member of the comalutana species group that contains 10 species with similar genitalia and forewing appearance (Wright and Gilligan, 2017). Most are found in the western US, and only two (P. vagana; P. wandana) are in the East.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Wright and Gilligan (2017)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species the head, palps, thorax, and ground color of the forewings are concolorous and typically dark rusty brown. The forewing has vaguely discernible sub-basal and median fasciae that are represented by slightly darker shades of brown (Wright and Gilligan, 2017). The ocellus is inconspicuous and sometimes has two poorly delineated dark dashes. The costa has a series of inconspicuous light brownish-gray strigulae that are delimited by dark brown dashes, and the termen has a narrow salt-and-pepper-colored band from the tornus to the apex. The hindwing varies from light gray to light brown, and the tarsi have dark bands that are slightly darker than the ground color of the forewing.

This species is similar to P. wandana, which typically has heavier brown shading on the sub-basal and median fasciae, darker and better defined dark dashes on the costa, darker hindwings, and a mean forewing length of 7.8 mm versus 8.2 for P. vagana. It has not been found in North Carolina as of 2022, but occurs in nearby Kentucky and might be expected here.
Forewing Length: 6.3-9.7 mm; mean 8.2 mm (Wright and Gilligan, 2017)
Adult Structural Features: Wright and Gilligan (2017) provide illustrations of the male and female genitalia and note that the male genitalia are similar to those of P. comatulana, except for the fact that the neck is a little longer, the cucullus seems to be a little narrower, and the anal spine is angled slightly towards the saccular corner. The two species are also nearly identical in female genitalia. Their description of the genitalia of P. comatulana that follows presumably applies well to P. vagana.

In males, the uncus is moderately broad (basal width about 2 times the height) with the distal margin semicircular to flattened. The socii curve ventrally, the vesica has 13-28 cornuti, and the valva has a U-shaped ventral emargination. In females, the posterior lobes of the papillae anales are relatively narrow, the lamella postvaginalis is slightly broader at the posterior margin than at the anterior margin, and the anterolateral corners of sternum 7 are developed into lateral projections that have conspicuous patches of densely packed scales on their posterolateral margins.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larvae appear to be root borers on goldenrods, but detailed aspects of the larval ecology and life history are lacking.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Wright and Gilligan (2017) noted that this species is predominantly eastern in distribution, but specimens have been collected from a site in Washington state that agree with P. vagana in genitalia. Pohl et al. (2018) reported specimens from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, while Wright and Gilligan (2017) identified specimens in the eastern US from Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. As of 2022 we have only four site records, with three from lower elevations in the mountains, and one from a site in the Sandhills.
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: Local populations appear to be univoltine. Wright and Gilligan (2017) identified specimens that were collected from 29 May to 24 August, with most collected in June and July. As of 2022, our records extend from late-June through early August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Limited observations suggest that the larvae use goldenrods as hosts. As of 2022, our records are from sites where goldenrods are present, including semiwooded residential areas, forest edges, and an early successional habitat in the Sandhills.
Larval Host Plants: Host use is poorly documented, with goldenrods (Solidago spp.) being the only documented host. The few host records include observations of larvae feeding on the roots of goldenrods in Washington state and one rearing record from goldenrods in Maryland (Wright and Gilligan, 2017). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2-S3]
State Protection:
Comments: Pelochrista vagana appears to be uncommon to rare in the state, but we do not have sufficient information on host use, habitat requirements, and abundance to accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Pelochrista vagana - No common name

Photos: 1

Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2017-07-01
Ashe Co.
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