Moths of North Carolina
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2 NC Records

Ancylis metamelana (Walker, 1863) - Black-marked Ancylis

Ancylis metamelana
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EnarmoniiniP3 Number: 51a0647 MONA Number: 3359.00
Comments: Ancylis metamelana was at one time treated as a member of the A. spiraeifoliana complex and generally resembles members of this group (Heinrich, 1923). It was subsequently treated as being separate from this group based on comparisons of the male genitalia, which lack the bifid uncus that is characteristic of the members of the Ancylis spiraeifoliana complex (Gilligan et al., 2008). This species appears to be restricted to higher elevation sites in the Blue Ridge where is can be found with A. discigerana. Here we treat high-elevation specimens that resemble members of the A. spiraeifoliana complex as this species, with the caveat that specimens are best identified using genitalia.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species generally resembles members of the A. spiraeifoliana complex, but has a more yellowish-brown caste or wash on the forewings and tends to be somewhat smaller (Gilligan et al., 2008). The forewing has a prominent reddish-brown to dark-brown basal patch that is margined posteriorly with a narrow line of paler scales. There is a reddish-brown to brown, posteriorly oblique, median band that extends from the costa to two, black, longitudinal dashes anterior to the ocellus. The anterior margin of the band is not crisply defined, which gives the band a smeared appearance. The posterior margin of the band is margined with a narrow line of whitish scales and is followed by a series of five or six short white costal dashes that tend to project towards the ocellus. The apex has a prominent reddish to dark brown spot that adjoins two small whitish dashes in the fringe.

Ancylis metamelana is generally found at more northern latitudes and tends to be found at higher elevations in the Blue Ridge where is often can be found with A. discigerana. The latter lacks the yellowish-brown caste or wash of A. metamelana and has a more clearly defined median band (not appearing smeared in A. metamelana). Heinrich (1923) also noted that A. discigerana has a faint bluish mark near the tornus that is not present in A. metamelana. The former is generally associated with Yellow Birch, which is the only known host plant in North Carolina, while A. metamelana specializes on clovers and can be found outside of areas with Yellow Birch.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: Larvae reportedly feed on clover (Trifolium spp.) (Robinson et al., 2023).
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Ancylis metamelana - Black-marked Ancylis

Photos: 1

Recorded by: Owen McConnell and Simpson Eason on 2024-06-21
Graham Co.
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