Moths of North Carolina
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12 NC Records

Gretchena nymphana Blanchard and Knudson, 1983 - No Common Name

Gretchena nymphanaGretchena nymphanaGretchena nymphanaGretchena nymphana
Taxonomy
Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 51a1175 MONA Number: 3266.10
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: Blanchard and Knudson (1983)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is our most distinctive and easily recognized Gretchena that can be distinguished by its relatively large size, pale buff ground color with light brown irrorations, and a prominent, black, radial streak that is edged posteriorly with pale brown dusting. In addition, the raised scale patches that produce a bumpy appearance on most of our Gretchena species are poorly developed or absent on this species. The following detailed description is based on that of Blanchard and Knudson (1983). The front and vertex of the head are buff (pale yellowish-brown), as are the labial palps, antennae and collar. The tegula and patagia are light brown and the mesonotum buff. The forewing ground color is buff, with light brown irrorations and faint brownish costal strigulations. The wing is conspicuously marked with a wavy black streak that extends from the apex to the dorsal margin near the base. The streak is thick and continuous over the apical two-thirds, and attenuated and interrupted (or missing entirely) over the basal third. On fresh individuals, a zone of pale brown dusting is usually evident on the posterior side. The ocelloid patch is absent and the fringe is buff, with the scales banded with brown. The hindwing is fuscous and the fringe buff.
Forewing Length: 8.3-10.0 mm (Blanchard and Knudson, 1983; Gilligan et al., 2008).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2008) and Blanchard and Knudson (1983) have illustrations of the genitalia.
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: Gretchena nymphana is found in the eastern US from Pennsylvania southward to South Carolina and central Alabama, and westward to eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. It is uncommon or absent from most of the southeastern Coastal Plain. As of 2024, all of our records are from the Piedmont and lower-elevation sites in 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 March to early-June in different areas of the range. As of 2024, our records extend from mid-March through mid-June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally associated with hardwood forests, mixed conifer-hardwood forests, semi-wooded residential neighborhoods and forest edge habitats.
Larval Host Plants: The host plants are undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights, but perhaps only weakly so.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S2S3]
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be uncommon in North Carolina and elsewhere throughout the eastern US. More information is needed on its distribution, abundance and habitat requirements before we can accurately assess its conservation status within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Gretchena nymphana - No common name

Photos: 20

Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-04-19
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-04-02
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-04-02
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-31
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-23
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-23
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-23
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-16
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-16
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-16
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-15
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-03-15
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-04-19
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-04-19
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-04-19
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-04-12
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-04-12
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-04-06
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-04-06
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-04-06
Wake Co.
Comment: