Moths of North Carolina
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Diataga Members:
1 NC Records

Diataga leptosceles Walsingham, 1914 - No Common Name

Diataga leptoscelesDiataga leptosceles
Taxonomy
Family: TineidaeSubfamily: ScardiinaeP3 Number: 300207 MONA Number: 315.00
Comments: This is a small genus of moths with only seven described species that mostly occur in South America. Diataga leptosceles is the only member that occurs in North America.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Walsingham (1914)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species the palps, head tuft and thorax are all dirty white and contrast sharply with the dark brown to blackish forewings. The antenna is brown above with a prominent white base, and is about one-half the length of the forewing. The forewing is finely mottled with dark gray, dark brown and blackish scales, except for the costa that has a series of alternating white and black bars along its length. The most prominent black bar occurs at around three-fourths the costal length, while less prominent and shorter bars are present at the base of the costa, at around two-fifths the costal length, and just before the apex. The legs are dirty white above, while the hindwing is slightly lighter than the forewing and unmarked.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Diataga leptosceles is largely restricted to the southeastern US, with scattered records extending from Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia southward to North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and eastern Texas. As of 2024, we have a single record that is from Durham County in 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 adult have been observed from April through September in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak from June through August. As of 2024, our only record is from early June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts (if any) are undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: This appears to be a rare or uncommon species throughout its range, perhaps because it is not strongly attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S1S3]
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be rare within the state, with only a single record as of 2024. More information is needed on its life history and habitat requirements before we can assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Diataga leptosceles - No common name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-06
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-06
Durham Co.
Comment: