Moths of North Carolina

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Eugnosta bimaculana (Robinson, 1869) - Two-spotted Eugnosta

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Tortricoidea

Family:
Tortricidae

Subfamily:
Tortricinae

Tribe:
Cochylini

P3 Number:
51a0092.1

MONA Number:
3763.00

Other Common Names:
Two-spotted Carolella Moth, Two-spotted Cochylid

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Technical Description, Adults: Robinson (1869); (Forbes, 1923)

Adult Markings: In this species the palps are light tan and usually tinged with reddish-brown shading externally. The head, thorax, and ground color of the forewing vary from light tan to yellowish-brown with varying levels of darker dusting throughout. The inner margin has a series of tiny black dots that are equally spaced and the base of the costa is often dusted with brownish-olivaceous scales. The ground is overlain with two bold, posteriorly oblique, reddish-brown marks. The first is a roughly triangular-shaped band that begins in the subcostal area near the middle of the wing and gradually widens as it projects towards the inner margin. It terminates just before reaching the inner margin. The second is a similar and roughly parallel mark on the apical third that begins near the apex and terminates before reaching the sub-tornal region of the inner margin. Both marks are often faintly and irregularly margined with black scales. The fringe is pale with blackish scales at the tip, and the hindwing is medium brown.

Eugnosta bimaculana is similar in size and coloration to E. sartana, but in the latter the median band extends all the way to the inner margin. Both species characteristically rest with the legs raised and the palps angled towards the substrate.

Wingspan: 10-14 mm (Forbes, 1923)

Adult Structural Features: Metzler and Forbes (2012) have illustrations of the male and female genitalia.

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

Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Eugnosta bimaculana is restricted to the eastern US where is occurs from Massachusetts southward to southern Florida, and westward to central Texas, central Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois. This species is absent from most of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. As of 2023, our records are all from the Piedmont and from one lower elevation site in the Blue Ridge.

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 are active year-round in Florida and in all but the coldest months in other southern localities. Farther north the adults mostly fly from May through October. Populations in the Piedmont of North Carolina appear to be bivoltine, with the first flight in May and June and the second in August through early October.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The preferred habitats of this species are poorly documented. Most of our records are from residential neighborhoods, with a few from sites with hardwood forest.

Larval Host Plants: Although this species is widespread in the eastern US, the hosts remain a mystery. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S3S4]

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

Comments: Eugnosta bimaculana is largely restricted to the Piedmont where it appears to be relatively uncommon. More information is needed on its host use, preferred habitats, and distribution and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

Photo Gallery for Eugnosta bimaculana - Two-spotted Eugnosta

Photos: 26

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-14 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-14 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-08 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-08-30 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-08-18 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-07-24 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-28 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-28 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-18 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-18 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-06-15 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson, Stephen Dunn on 2022-06-04 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-02 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-05-25 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-28 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-28 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-06-23 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-06-23 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-09-02 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-09-02 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-01 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-01 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-01 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2016-09-07 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2015-08-18 Cabarrus Co. Comment:		Recorded by: T. DeSantis on 2014-05-28 Durham Co. Comment: