Moths of North Carolina
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5 NC Records

Gretchena delicatana Heinrich, 1923 - No Common Name

Gretchena delicatanaGretchena delicatanaGretchena delicatana
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 51a1173 MONA Number: 3265.00
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: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Heinrich (1923)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is one of several species of Gretchena that is best identified using genitalia. Heinrich (1923) noted that this species is perhaps most similar in terms of external morphology to G. amatana, but differs in having narrower forewings and a cleaner looking, more diffused, and more whitish gray powdering on the forewing. The pale suffusion often extends along the costa to the wing base and breaks the basal patch. The longitudinal black scaling also tends to form a more continuous narrow line from the apex to well back on the upper margin of the cell, but does not form a conspicuous sickle-shaped mark as seen in some Gretchena. The hindwing is also paler, especially towards the base. As with many of our Gretchena, genitalia are the most reliable way to obtain a positive identification.
Wingspan: 14-16 mm (Heinrich, 1923)
Forewing Length: 6.5-8.5 mm (Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2008) has illustrations of the male and female genitalia, which are diagnostic. They note that the male cucullus is more rectangular than in G. amatana, and that females lack semirectangular lobes on the posterolateral corners of sternum VII.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Gretchena delicatana is found in eastern North America, with most records form the northeastern US and adjoining areas of Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. In the US the range extends from Connecticut and Massachusetts westward to Illinois, and southward mostly through the Appalachian region to eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. As of 2024, all of our records are from the 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 been observed from April through July in different areas of the range. As of 2024, our records extend from late-April through early-August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: local populations are generally associated with hardwood or mixed hardwood-conifer forests.
Larval Host Plants: As of 2024, the host plants are undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S2S]
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 uncommon in North Carolina and restricted to the Blue Ridge where it appears to reach its southern range limit.

 Photo Gallery for Gretchena delicatana - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-04-30
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-04-30
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-04-24
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-04-24
Madison Co.
Comment: