Moths of North Carolina
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Gypsonoma Members:
2 NC Records

Gypsonoma fasciolana (Clemens, 1864) - Willow-and-poplar Leafroller

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 51a1124 MONA Number: 3223.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based in part on that of Forbes (1923). The head, antenna, palps, and thorax are medium to dark brown. The ground color of the wing is white and often shaded with gray towards the outer margin, with a few black scales in the position of the speculum. The ground has three large dark brown to brownish-black marks, one of which is a conspicuous dark base that covers about one-fourth of the wing and contrasts sharply with the adjoining white interfascial region. The broadly wavy outer edge projects obliquely outward from the costa and has an outward bulge close to the middle. A broad fascia of the same color extends obliquely from the middle of costa and runs roughly parallel to the dark base. It terminates before the anal angle and has a wavy outer margin. The subterminal region has a thin, elongated patch of dark brown to blackish scales that runs along the outer margin from near the anal angle towards the apex, where it frequently curves inwardly and terminating before reaching the costa. A dark eyespot is present at the apex, and the costa has a series of dark strigulae that are most obvious in the interfascial areas. The cilia are grayish brown with a thin, lighter basal line. The hindwing is light grayish-brown with cilia that are similar in color and patterning to the forewing cilia.
Wingspan: 13-18 mm (Heinrich 1923).
Forewing Length: 6.0-8.0 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2008) provide illustrations of the male and female genitalia. The males lack costal folds and the antenna is not notched near the base.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are leaf-rollers that feed on willows and poplars (Miller 1987), but detailed studies of the larval life history have not been reported.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Gypsonoma fasciolana is primarily found at northern latitudes, with the range extending from New Brunswick westward to British Columbia, then into adjoining areas of the US in Washington and Montana. In the eastern US it occurs from Maine and other New England states southward to Connecticut and New York, and westward through the Great Lakes region to Minnesota. A southern disjunct population occurs on Clingman's Dome in the Smokies, and as of 2022 constitutes our only site record for North Carolina.
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)

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Flight Comments: The adults have been observed from April-July in different areas of the range, with one late-season record in October. Many local populations appear to be univoltine, with a seasonal peak in activity during May and June. As of 2022 our two records for North Carolina were both from June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The disjunct population on Clingman's Dome in the Smokies is associated with spruce-fir forest and early successional habitats.
Larval Host Plants: The primary hosts are members of the Salicaceae, including willows (Salix spp.), Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera), and Quaking Aspen (P. tremuloides; Prentice 1966). There is also one recorded use of a blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) that seems questionable (Robinson et al., 2010). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and in North Carolina are likely restricted to high-elevations sites.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S1]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: The population on Clingman's Dome in the Smokies comprises a major southern disjunct for this northern species and is protected.