Moths of North Carolina
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Pelochrista Members:
33 NC Records

Pelochrista derelicta Heinrich, 1929 - Derelict Pelochrista Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 620926.00 MONA Number: 3120.00 MONA Synonym: Eucosma derelicta
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: The holotype for this species was from Tryon, North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Wright and Gilligan (2017)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based on those of Heinrich (1929) and Wright and Gilligan (2017). The head, palps, antennae and thorax vary from grayish-brown to tawny red. The forewing ground is more or less concolorous and is overlain with numerous fine, dark, wavy striations. The most conspicuous mark is a dark central fascia that extends from near the middle of the costa obliquely to the subtornal region. The proximal margin is diffuse and the distal edge is margined by a thin white line that tends to be weakly angulated towards the apex. A faint sub-basal patch is sometimes evident that extends obliquely outwardly from the inner margin and fades towards the costa. It sometimes extends to the base and forms a basal patch. The postmedian area immediately beyond the median fascia is generally paler than the anterior two-thirds of the wing and often shades to a tawny red or dark reddish brown color towards the apex. The ocellus is either poorly developed or absent, and the termen is edged by a dark line. The posterior half of the costa has a series of brown to reddish streaks that are interspersed with lighter strigulae. The hindwing is smoky fuscous with a paler fringe that has a dark basal line.
Wingspan: 12-18 mm (Heinrich, 1929).
Forewing Length: 5.3-8.2 mm; mean 6.7 mm (Wright and Gilligan, 2017)
Adult Structural Features: Wright and Gilligan (2017) provide illustrations of the genitalia and the descriptions that follow. In males the uncus is semicircular and clearly differentiated from the dorsolateral shoulders of the tegumen. The socii are short and stout and the phallus tapers distally with the base loosely surrounded by the anellus. The vesica has 13-16 cornuti. The valva has a concave costal margin and the ventral emargination is moderate. The cucullus has the dorsal lobe strongly developed, the apex rounded, the ventral lobe triangular, and the vertex of the anal angle with 1 or 2 marginal spines.

In females the papillae anales are flat, sparsely setose, and finely microtrichiate, and the sterigma is Type II. The lamella postvaginalis is rectangular, with the posterior margin concavely indented, the lateral margins curling inward, and the central trough shallow and microtrichiate. Sternum 7 is trapezoidal, with the posterior margin concavely indented to about two-thirds the length of the sterigma. The ductus bursae has and elongated sclerotized patch near the juncture with the ductus seminalis. The corpus bursae has two signa, with one slightly larger than the other.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Capek (1969) found that the larvae are stem and root-borers on goldenrods. The females lay their eggs on stalks close to the ground and the larvae bore downward to the root stalk where they overwinter. With the spring warm-up, the larvae bore upwards and end in the sprouting buds of the new growth where they pupate.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Pelochrista derelicta has a broad range that covers most of southern Canada from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island. In the US specimens have been found throughout much of the central and eastern US to as far south as Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, and in the West in the Pacific Northwest, California, Colorado, and New Mexico. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina and is common in all three physiographic regions of the state.
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: Specimens have been observed from May through October in different areas of the range, with most adults flying in July and August. As of 2022, our records extend from early May through mid-September, with almost all from July-September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are typically found where goldenrods are common. Adults in North Carolina can be found in open habitats such as old fields and pine savannas, as well as deciduous forests with woodland goldenrods.
Larval Host Plants: The only known hosts are goldenrods. Capek (1969) observed the larvae feeding on the lower shoots, roots, and emerging buds of both Canada Goldenrod (S. canadensis) and Giant Goldenrod (S. gigantea). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights. More information is needed on host use in North Carolina.
Wikipedia
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 widely distributed throughout the state and appears to be secure.

 Photo Gallery for Pelochrista derelicta - Derelict Pelochrista Moth

Photos: 20

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-04
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-08-18
Caswell Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-08-18
Caswell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-14
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-13
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey on 2022-09-17
Martin Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-08-28
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2022-08-16
Avery Co.
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Recorded by: David George on 2022-08-16
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2021-08-31
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-07-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2020-09-07
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-09-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-21
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2020-08-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-09-13
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2016-09-04
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2015-09-10
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams on 2013-08-29
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Harry Wilson on 2010-09-02
Wake Co.
Comment: