Moths of North Carolina
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25 NC Records

Gretchena amatana Heinrich, 1923 - No Common Name

Gretchena amatanaGretchena amatanaGretchena amatana
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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 51a1172 MONA Number: 3264.00
Comments: Gretchena is a New World genus with 12 recognized species. Eleven species occur in North America, and eight of these are endemic to eastern North America.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is one of several species of Gretchena that is best identified using genitalia. The following description is based in part on that of Heinrich (1923), but likely does not capture the full range of variation within this species. Gretchena amatana is a dark grayish fuscous species that is powdered and marked with ashy gray and blackish scales, with the paler areas having a somewhat ochreous tint, especially towards the costal margin of the forewing. The forewing has a somewhat irregular, triangular-shaped, pale blotch on the middle of dorsal margin, along with a second patch that precedes it that is often less well-defined. The two often produce a more-or-less hourglass pattern when a resting individual is viewed form above. The second patch is followed by an ocellus of similar color that is distinct and often preceded by varying levels of blackish scales. The lighter marks along the inner margin are surrounded by heavy blackish dusting that is often organized into distinct patches or streaks that contrast with the lighter marks. These may be organized as a distinct basal patch or basal streak that merges with additional blackish marks and dusting that extend longitudinally all the way to the apical region. The cilia are gray and dusted with blackish fuscous, but somewhat paler at the anal angle, and with one or two pale dashes below the apex. The hindwing is smoky fuscous with cilia that are slightly paler, and with a faint dark basal band.

Gilligan et al. (2008) remarked that the forewing color and maculation of this species are similar to those of G. concitatricana, except that the interfascial areas are whitish gray in G. amatana instead of brownish gray as seen in G. concitatricana. This species can also easily be confused with G. concubitana, and the authors recommend using genitalia for making positive identifications of these species.
Wingspan: 17-19 mm (Heinrich, 1923); 18 mm (Forbes, 1924).
Forewing Length: 7.5-9.0 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2008) have illustrations of the genitalia and note that the males are readily identified by the shape of the cucullus. Females have the posterolateral corners of sternum VII produced laterally into semirectangular lobes, a character not found in other midwestern Gretchena.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Gretchena amatana is found in eastern North America, including portions of southern Canada (Manitoba; Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick). In the US the range extends from Maine and other New England states southwestward mostly through the Appalachian region to North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and westward to western Tennessee, eastern Kansas, Illinois and Wisconsin. As of 2024, we have records from the Piedmont and Blue Ridge.
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 adults have ben observed from April trough July in different areas of the range. As of 2024, our record extend from late-April through early-October.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally associated with hardwood or mixed conifer-hardwood forests.
Larval Host Plants: As of 2024, the host plants appear to be unknown. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S2S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to be somewhat uncommon in the state, but additional information is needed on its distribution, abundance and habitat requirements before its conservation status can be accurately assessed.

 Photo Gallery for Gretchena amatana - No common name

Photos: 11

Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-07-30
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-07-30
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: L. M. Carlson on 2019-08-04
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-06-17
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-06-17
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-06-09
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-06-09
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-06-01
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-05-02
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-05-02
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2017-06-06
Ashe Co.
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