Moths of North Carolina
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Ancylis Members:
3 NC Records

Ancylis diminuatana Kearfott, 1905 - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EnarmoniiniP3 Number: 51a0640.6 MONA Number: 3379.00 MONA Synonym: Ancylis diminutana
Comments: The genus Ancylis contains around 130 described species that occur worldwide. The exact number of species in North America is uncertain due to several unresolved species complexes, but is around 35 species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Gilligan et al. (2016)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is based on the redescription of this species by Gilligan et al. (2016). The head and palps are grayish and the antennae grayish brown. The dorsal half of the forewing is pale gray to brownish gray and is separated from a darker reddish brown region below by a sinuate longitudinal line that starts at the base of the wing then angles in a diagonal line to the apex. The costal region below this is pale tan in the basal half to three-quarters, with the remainder brown to reddish brown and becoming darker at the longitudinal line.

The authors note that Ancylis diminuatana is distinguished from similar forms by its forewing, which is pale tan on the costal half or so, reddish brown to dark brown on the remainder of the costal half, and gray in the dorsal half. Other similar species such as A. goodelliana appear two-toned, with contrasting costal and dorsal halves of the forewing. Also, the longitudinal line in these other species tends to be more sinuate. Worn or light-colored specimens of A. goodelliana can be very similar to A. diminuatana and the two are best distinguished by their very different genitalia.
Forewing Length: 4.5-7.5 mm for males; 5.5-8.0 mm for females (Gilligan et al., 2016).
Adult Structural Features: Gilligan et al. (2016) provide illustrations of the male and female genitalia. The following is based on their descriptions. In males the uncus is bifid to 0.75–0.90 its total length, and the socii are large membranous setose pads. The valva has the costal margin concave to nearly straight, and the saccular angle is moderately to strongly developed with a variable triangular terminal projection. The neck width varies from moderate to wide, and the cucullus has a rounded dorsal lobe and a narrow fingerlike ventral lobe. The outer margin is concave to straight and variably setose with rows of short setae along the dorsal lobe and outer margin. The caulis is 0.5–0.7 times as long as the phallus, and the phallus is 0.4-0.5 times as long as the valva. The vesica has > 100 deciduous lanceolate cornuti. Gilligan et al. (2016) note that the shape of the male valva varies greatly. The width of the neck and corresponding degree of development of the dorsal lobe of the cucullus can vary extensively, as can the shape of the ventral lobe of the cucullus.

In females the papillae anales are moderately setose, and the apophyses posteriores are 0.6–0.7 as long as the apophyses anteriores. The lamella postvaginalis is membranous and undefined. The lamella antevaginalis is sclerotized and projects ventrally above the ostium. It often has a slight median indentation and forms a weakly sclerotized funnel-shaped antrum that is weakly sclerotized just below the ostium. The colliculum is present as two small lateral sclerites that are continuous with the anterior sclerotization of the antrum. The ductus seminalis arises in the anterior 0.3–0.4 of the ductus bursae, while the corpus bursae is large and oval with two blade-shaped or horn-shaped signa.
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: The range is poorly delineated because worn specimens of A. goodelliana are easily confused with A. diminuatana and historical records are questionable and difficult to confirm. Gilligan et al. (2016) reported that A. diminuatana occurs in Canada from Quebec westward to Alberta and British Columbia. In the U.S., it has been found from New Hampshire and Massachusetts southward to North Carolina and westward to Nebraska. Individuals that appear to be this species have also been found in California and Washington. As of 2022, our very limited records are all from the western Piedmont and northern mountains.
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: Populations in the eastern US appear to be bivoltine, with adults present in May though early July, and again in mid-August through September (Gilligan et al., 2016). As of 2022, our limited records fit this pattern with specimens from May 12, June 5, and September 7.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documents. We have one record from near a lakeshore and another from a mountain bog complex.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae reportedly feed on willow (Forbes, 1923; Heinrich, 1923; MacKay, 1959; Heppner, 2007; Beadle & Leckie, 2012). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2-S3]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: We currently do not have sufficient information on the preferred habitats and distribution and abundance of this species to confidently assess its conservation status within the state.