Moths of North Carolina
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2 NC Records

Pseudexentera vaccinii Miller, 1986 - No Common Name

Pseudexentera vaccinii
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 51a1162 MONA Number: 3254.10
Comments: The genus Pseudexentera currently has 19 recognized species that are found primarily in North and Central America, with 17 recognized species in the US. They are typically found in forested settings and most fly very early in the year. Many are challenging to identify, particularly the species with fasciate forewing patterns that often show substantial intraspecific variation in patterning and have slight differences in genitalia (Miller, 1968; Gilligan et al., 2008). There has been a long history of misidentified species in the group (Miller, 1968) and there is still much confusion about external traits that are useful in sorting out certain closely related forms. DNA barcoding has not proven to be particularly useful in sorting out species since recognized species often have two or more BINS that contain multiple species names. This likely reflects weak genetic differentiation between certain forms and the large numbers of misidentified specimens in collections. Miller (1968) conducted a taxonomic revision and reviewed all of the recognized species in North America, but did not provide detailed descriptions of external coloration, patterning, or intraspecific variation within species. Here, we treat our assignment of the fasciate specimens to species as provisional since they are based on images or pinned specimens that have not been barcoded or dissected to examine genitalia. Even with the latter, specimens cannot always be confidently assigned to species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is based in part on the original description by Miller (1986). The thorax, the outer portion of the palps, and the front and crown of the head are all brownish white, as is the outer portions of the labial palp. Although Miller (1986) described this species, he did not provide descriptions of the wing patterning other than noting that the upperside dark markings vary from tawny to fuscous. Specimens that have since been identified by genitalia or barcoding are variable in patterning and appear to occur as two forms. This conflicts with Miller's statement that forewing patterning varies little between or within sexes. One morph has a grayish ground color with a relatively small brownish dorsal patch at about one-third that begins on the dorsal margin and extends obliquely before stopping near the middle of the wing. A post-median patch of similar color is also present at about three-fourths that begins on the inner margin and extends just a short way onto the wing, ending well before the middle. A second form has a dull grayish ground and a much more extensive area of dark shading in the basal third that tends to form a basal patch with the dorsal half darker than the costal half. The posterior margin is angled outwardly near the middle of the wing to form a blunt tooth-like projection. This species is best identified by using a combination of external patterning, genitalia and/or molecular markings, or by rearing individuals from blueberries. Miller (1986) noted that the tarsi of all legs are banded and the hindwing is pale brown.
Forewing Length: 6.5-8.0 mm for males and 6.0-7.5 mm for females (Miller, 1968).
Adult Structural Features: Miller (1986) and Gilligan et al. (2008) provide illustrations of the male and female genitalia. Miller (1986) found that forewing veins R4 and R5 were connate at origin in 60% of the specimens that he examined, with the remaining 40% either approximate or stalked. In males, the valva is constricted approximately at the middle, the valval length/cucullus length ratio is 1.8 to 2.0, the anal spine is near the lower edge of the cucullus, the lower edge of the cucullus lacks projections, and the aedeagus has a falcate apex (Miller, 1986). In females, the ostium bursae begins one-fourth to one and one-fifth its width behind front edge of the sternum, the forward end of the sterigma tapers gradually if at all, the corpus bursae spicule bases are not fused into a sclerotized patch, and the signa are subequal in size.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Ontario, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
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: Miller (1986): 8 April to 8 July
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: North Carolina records come from coastal flatwoods
Larval Host Plants: The larva feeds on blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). - View
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Wet-Dry Heath Thickets
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Pseudexentera vaccinii - No common name

Photos: 1

Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2023-02-15
Craven Co.
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