Moths of North Carolina
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84 NC Records

Platynota exasperatana (Zeller, 1875) - Exasperating Platynota Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: TortricinaeTribe: SparganothiniP3 Number: 620434.00 MONA Number: 3743.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Powell and Brown (2012)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species the vertex of the head and the dorsum of the labial palp are usually whitish. The thorax is mostly whitish with varying amounts of fine, darker mottling. The forewing is variable in coloration, but typically has a ground color of dark smoky gray that is overlain with numerous, blackish, irregular, transverse striae with raised scales. A small semicircular patch of pale or white scales is present at the base of the dorsal margin and adjoins the thorax when a resting individual has the wings folded. Most specimens have a dark and often vague, subapical, semicircular patch on the costa about three-fourths the distance from the base to the apex that is preceded by an irregular whitish to dull-white patch. The terminal fourth of the wing is usually lighter than the basal three fourths, with various shades of grayish to ocherous white. Males have a complex hood on the head and a costal fold that terminates before reaching the middle of the wing, while females have palps that are noticeably longer than the males.

Platynota exasperatana resembles P. semiustana but can be distinguished by the presence of pale whitish-yellow scaling on the dorsum of the labial palps (blackish in P. semiustana), and by the presence of a white or cream-colored blotch at the base of the dorsal margin of the forewing.
Forewing Length: 5.5–7.0 mm for males and 6.0–8.0 mm for females (Powell and Brown, 2012)
Adult Structural Features: Males have a costal fold that does not extend to the midpoint of the forewing. Powell and Brown (2012) have illustrations and descriptions of the male and female genitalia.
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.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Platynota exasperatana is found throughout most of the eastern US and in adjoining areas of southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island). In the US the range extends from Maine southward to southern Florida, and westward to central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. As of 2023, we have records from all three physiographic regions, but relatively few from the 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: The adults fly year-round in Florida and mostly from March through October in other areas of the range. As of 2023, our records extend mid-April through mid-October. Populations appear to be bivoltine in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, and univoltine in the Blue Ridge.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is commonly found in hardwood forests or mixed conifer-hardwood forests, as well as forest edge habitats and residential neighborhoods. We have records that range from mesic hardwood slopes in the Blue Ridge to much drier habitats in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain. Many of our records are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts have not been reported.
Observation Methods: The adults 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: This species is widespread and somewhat common in the state and appear to be secure.

 Photo Gallery for Platynota exasperatana - Exasperating Platynota Moth

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

Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-09-01
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-08-08
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Rob Van Epps on 2023-08-05
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-29
Swain Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-17
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-06-18
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-03
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-05-31
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2023-05-21
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2023-05-20
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-09-20
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-09-20
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-08-17
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2022-08-16
Avery Co.
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Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-08-15
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-08-09
Watauga Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-08-08
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2022-08-07
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-31
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson, Stephen Dunn on 2022-07-15
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-07-14
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-07-11
Alamance Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-07
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-07-01
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-06-26
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2022-06-18
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2022-06-06
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-05-19
Orange Co.
Comment: