Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Tortricidae Members:	Epinotia Members:	5 NC Records

Epinotia xandana (Kearfott, 1907) - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family:
Tortricidae

Subfamily:
Olethreutinae

Tribe:
Eucosmini

P3 Number:
51a1207

MONA Number:
3295.00

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Adult Markings: This species is variable in coloration and patterning, and can vary from dark brown to grayish-white overall (Brown, 1986). North Carolina specimens typically have forewings with light grayish-white ground coloration, along with scattered, fine, light-brown reticulations and larger brown fasciae that are variably expressed. The head tuft and thorax have light-brown scales with whitish tips, while the antenna is light brown and weakly reticulated with paler coloration. The forewing has two variably expressed dark brown fasciae. The first is a broadly irregular mark that begins on the inner margin at about one-fourth the wing length and terminates beyond the center of the wing. The second begins as an irregular blotch along the inner margin at around two-thirds the wing length, then abruptly narrows to an inwardly oblique, curved streak that nearly reaches the costa. The fringe is more or less concolorous with the general forewing color and has a dark-brown to blackish basal band, along with a zone of brown scales along the outer edge. The hindwing varies from light brown to grayish-brown.

Brown (1986) noted that this species differs from others in the E. vertumnana group by having a light form with transverse fasciae rather than a longitudinal dark streak. Specimens of E. celtisana in North Carolina often lack the longitudinal dark streak and can be confused with E. xandana. In this former the blotch on the second fascia is typically smaller and the overall wing color is lighter. Some specimens may need to be dissected for a positive identification.

Forewing Length: 6-8 mm (Brown, 1986).

Adult Structural Features: Brown (1986) and Gilligan et al. (2008) have illustrations and descriptions of the male and female genitalia.

Genitalia and other structural photos

Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: The range is poorly documented, with scattered records from a large portion of the eastern US. Brown (1986) and Gilligan et al. (2008) identified specimens from western Pennsylvania westward to Ohio and illinois, and southward to northern Mississippi and eastern Texas. MPG also has records from western Tennessee, South Carolina and southeastern Alabama that are presumed to be valid.

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: This is an early-season flier, with records extending from mid-February through mid-April in different areas of the range. As of 2024, our very limited records are from mid-February through early-March.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Our records to date are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods.

Larval Host Plants: As of 2024, the hosts are apparently undocumented. - View

Observation Methods: The adults appear to be only weakly attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S2S3]

State Protection:

Comments: This species appears to be rare to uncommon in North Carolina, but this may reflect under collecting associated with the early flight season.

Photo Gallery for Epinotia xandana - None

Photos: 13

	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2025-02-04 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2025-02-04 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2025-02-04 Orange Co. Comment: Male genitalia (Jim Petranka).		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-03-03 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-03-03 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-02-15 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-02-15 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-02-15 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-03-09 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-03-09 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-03-09 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-03-09 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-03-09 Madison Co. Comment: