Moths of North Carolina
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Amydria Members:
1 NC Records

Amydria brevipennella Dietz, 1905 - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tineoidea Family: TineidaeSubfamily: [Acrolophinae]Tribe: [Acrolophini]P3 Number: 300041 MONA Number: 329.00
Comments: Amydria is a taxonomically challenging genus and in need of a major revision. There appear to be numerous undescribed species in North America, as well as several described species that have very similar external markings. Several forms that appear to be undescribed species occur in North Carolina (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.), as well as at least three described species. Identification is most reliable when using either genitalia and/or molecular barcoding. Except in instances where genitalia have been examined, our assignment of specimens to particular species is best viewed as being provisional.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Dietz (1905)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is based in part on the original description by Dietz (1905). This species has an overall pale yellowish-ocherous to light brownish color. The first and second joints of the labial palps are fuscous. The brush is large and scarcely extends beyond the end of the second joint, while the third joint is as long as the second, pointed, slightly compressed and thinly dusted with fuscous. The vertex and antenna vary from yellowish-ocherous to light brown. The thorax shows similar coloration and is often tinged with fuscous.

The forewing is rather wide and oval, and the costa evenly arched from the base to the apex, with the latter broadly rounded and dusted and marked with fuscous. The costa has a relatively large dark spot at the base and another at around one-third. Beyond the latter there are often two or three small dark dots and a series of around five costal spots on the apical half that decrease in size towards the apex. The first two are noticeably larger than the others and sometimes extend inward to connect with a large, dark spot at the end of cell. Other marks on the wing include two or three dark, longitudinal dashes near the middle third of the wing that are concentrated on the basal half, and a series of dark dots that extend from the outer half of the inner margin around the outer margin where they connect with similar dots along the subapical region of the costa. The ground of the fringe is concolorous with the wing, and streaked with numerous darker scales. The hindwing is unmarked and varies from grayish-brown to yellowish-ocherous.

This forewing patterning of A. brevipennella is very similar to that of A. effrenatella, but the latter tends to have dark spots that are larger. Size may be helpful in sorting these two species out (reported wingspan = 14-15 mm for A. brevipennella versus 15-25 mm for A. effrenatella; Dietz, 1905), but better data on size variation in needed for both species. Genital morphology is the most useful feature for identifying these species (Forbes, 1923).
Wingspan: 14-15 mm (Dietz, 1905).
Adult Structural Features: Forbes (1923) has an illustration of the male valve.
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: Amydria brevipennella is found in eastern North America, but the exact range is poorly documented because many specimens in museums are likely misidentified. We only have a single historical record for this species from North Carolina, with no details about the habitat. Additional work is needed to verify that this species occurs in 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 flight season is poorly documented, but limited data suggests a peak flight season in June and July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: Larvae reportedly feed on detritus (Heppner, 2007), but this needs additional verification. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[SU]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: