Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Tineidae Members:	Acrolophus Members:	86 NC Records

Acrolophus propinqua (Walsingham, 1887) - Walsingham's Grass Tubeworm Moth

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Tineoidea

Family:
Tineidae

Subfamily:
[Acrolophinae]

Tribe:
[Acrolophini]

P3 Number:
300087.5

MONA Number:
374.00

MONA Synonym:
Acrolophus propinquus

Comments: The genus Acrolophus is a mostly neotropical taxon with over 250 described species, including 54 that are currently recognized in North America. The labial palps on the males of many species are very elongated and densely hairy. The larvae of some species live in silk-lined burrows in the ground and feed on the roots and young shoots of grasses and herbs. However, the life histories of most species remain undocumented and in need of study. Members of this genus were previously placed in their own family (Acrolophidae), but they are now treated as a subgroup within the Tineidae based on molecular phylogenetic studies.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Technical Description, Adults: Hasbrouck (1964)

Adult Markings: This species varies widely in size and color. Several forms were described as separate species by earlier workers that were later treated as being conspecific with Acrolophus propinqua (Hasbrouck, 1964). Most forms are fairly plain and lack conspicuous spots or streaks of color. The form "busckellus" differs from typical forms by having a whitish streak along the inner margin, and in being speckled with several dark brown spots (Haimbach, cited by Hasbrouck, 1964). The males of A. propinqua have elongated palps that reach the posterior margin of the thorax. They are densely covered with hairy scales and are most typically fuscous, but sometimes darker and almost blackish in some color forms. The male antenna is stout, serrated, reddish to reddish brown, and lacks complete rings of raised scales around the segments. The head, thorax, and forewings are commonly reddish brown to purplish fuscous. The forewings often lack any conspicuous markings, but may be faintly brindled with dark marks. They sometimes have faint dark spotting on the termen and costa. The females are similar, but have short palps that are either held slightly erect or project forward. This species is most reliably identified by genitalic characters.

Wingspan: 26-34 mm (Hasbrouck, 1964, citing several different descriptions).

Adult Structural Features: Hasbrouck (1964) has detailed descriptions and illustrations of the male genitalia. The antenna and palps are similar to those of A. plumifrontella, A. mortipennella, and A. popeanella. The male antenna is stout, serrated, and typically cinereous in color. These species also lack complete rings of raised scales around the antennal segments. The eyes are setose, and the palps of the males extend across the thorax. Hasbrouck (1964) relied primarily on male genitalic features in lumping several forms previously described as distinct species based on maculation.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Hasbrouck (1964) found this species to be widespread in the central and eastern United States, with the range extending from Missouri and Arkansas eastward to Massachusetts and Florida. As of 2020, our records extend from the western Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont to the lower elevations in the 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: Adults fly from April through September in areas outside of North Carolina, with a seasonal peak in June and July. As of 2020, our records extend from May through September, with most in June.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The larval hosts are undocumented and it is uncertain if this species is dependent on specific hosts to complete the life cycle.

Larval Host Plants: The hosts are unknown. Many Acrolophus live in underground burrows and feed on the roots and young shoots of grasses and herbs. However, there are exceptions and the life history of the larval stage remains undocumented. Heppner (2007) reports grasses are used as hosts, but it is unclear if this is based on actual observation or just inferred based on the hosts of other Acrolophus species. - View

Observation Methods: Both the males and females are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S4S5

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 distribution, abundance, and habitat requirements of this species to assess its conservation status.

Photo Gallery for Acrolophus propinqua - Walsingham's Grass Tubeworm Moth

76 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment: Specimen was dissected.		Recorded by: David George, David Cheng, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Larry Chen, Sarah Toner, Joye Zhou on 2025-06-20 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-12 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-09 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George on 2025-06-07 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-02 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-01 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-31 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-31 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-23 Richmond Co. Comment: Specimen was dissected.
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-11 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-11 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-07-05 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-06-25 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin on 2024-06-22 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-19 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-19 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-19 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-06-17 Lincoln Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Patrick Coin, Mark Basinger on 2024-06-16 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Tim Foley on 2024-06-14 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-14 Scotland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-13 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-06-12 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-06-11 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-10 Chatham Co. Comment: