Moths of North Carolina
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Acrolophus Members:
71 NC Records

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

Acrolophus propinquaAcrolophus propinquaAcrolophus propinquaAcrolophus propinqua
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, BOLDTechnical 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.
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.
Acrolophus propinqua
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

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