Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Tortricidae Members:	Sparganothoides Members:	33 NC Records

Sparganothoides lentiginosana (Walsingham, 1879) - Lentiginos Moth

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Tortricoidea

Family:
Tortricidae

Subfamily:
Tortricinae

Tribe:
Sparganothini

P3 Number:
51a0384

MONA Number:
3731.00

Comments: The genus Sparganothoides consists of 32 described species that are mostly found in the Neotropics. The greatest diversity of species is in the mountains of Mexico and Central America (Kruse and Powell, 2009; Powell and Brown, 2012).

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Technical Description, Adults: Kruse and Powell (2009)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Powell and Brown (2012)

Adult Markings: The following description is based mostly on that of Kruse and Powell (2009). The frons is white, the vertex is yellowish-white, and the antennae are pale with darker brown annulations. The forewing ground color varies from yellowish brown or golden yellow to light reddish brown, and has dark brown scale patches that are scattered throughout. Indistinct brown transverse strigulae are often evident throughout the subterminal and terminal areas. The only conspicuous mark is a dark brown to blackish dorsal blotch at around two-thirds the wing length. The blotch extends from the dorsal margin to near the middle of the wing and often appears diffuse. Its expression is variable, with some individuals lacking it altogether or having only a faint trace, and others having the blotch well expressed. The fringe is yellowish brown to golden yellow. The hindwing varies from pale yellowish white to yellowish gray or gray, and often has gray transverse strigulae throughout. The males have a costal fold at the wing base.

This species is similar to Coelostathma discopunctana, but the males of the latter lack a costal fold. In addition, Coelostathma has a small, black, postmedian dot in the middle of the wing and an outer margin that is slightly concave, which produces a more pointed apex.

Forewing Length: 6.0–6.5 mm for males and 6.3–7.4 mm for females (Kruse and Powell, 2009).

Adult Structural Features: Kruse and Powell (2009) and Powell and Brown (2012) provide illustrations and descriptions of the male and female genitalia.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: Most aspects of the larval life history are poorly documented. Powell and Brown (2012) reared larvae on Achillea millefolium and noted that the first instars constructed webbing on the surface of the leaves on which they fed. The later instars fed on the leaf surface, and most constructed a tubelike structure of webbing and plant material.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Sparganothoides lentiginosana has southern affinities, with the main range occurring from Maryland southward to southern Florida and westward to central Texas and central Oklahoma. Isolated populations have been found in Colorado, Arizona, and Central America. As of 2023, our limited records are all from the southern Piedmont and central and southern Coastal Plain.

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 many areas of the range appear to have two or more generations per year (Powell and Brown, 2012). The adults have been observed in every month of the year at southern locales, and primarily from March through August in the northern portions of the range. As of 2023, our limited records are from May and from mid-August through mid-October, which is consistent with populations being bivoltine in North Carolina.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented. We have records from a barrier island, the edge of a floodplain, and a residential neighborhood.

Larval Host Plants: Host plants are poorly documented. Powell and Brown (2012) reared larvae on American Yarrow (Achillea gracilis), but doubted whether this species is used in the wild. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2S3]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: This species is seemingly uncommon in the state, but additional information is needed on its host plants, preferred habitats, and distribution and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

Photo Gallery for Sparganothoides lentiginosana - Lentiginos Moth

Photos: 25

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-24 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-21 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-20 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-09 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-07 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-15 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-02 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-24 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-24 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-31 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stefanie Hedrick on 2024-08-29 Union Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-16 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-13 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-12 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-11 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-11 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-11 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-19 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-16 New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-05 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-05 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-17 New Hanover Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-08-20 New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2020-10-14 Carteret Co. Comment: