Moths of North Carolina
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7 NC Records

Lorita baccharivora Pogue, 1988 - No Common Name

Lorita baccharivora
view caption 		Lorita baccharivora
view caption 		Lorita baccharivoraLorita baccharivora
Taxonomy
Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: TortricinaeP3 Number: 51a0168.1 MONA Number: 3802.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Pogue (1988)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Pogue (1988)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a rather nondescript moth. The head, palps, thorax and ground color of the forewings of the males consist of a mosaic of tan and light brown patches, along with scattered groups of black-tipped scales. Collectively, these produce an overall brownish-tan appearance. The only conspicuous marks are a darker brown median costal spot and a subterminal, posteriorly oblique band of similar color. The latter extends from the subapical region of the costa to near the dorsal third of the termen, but on some specimens may terminate or become markedly contracted near the middle of the wing. The hindwing varies from dirty white to light grayish-brown. The females have the same markings as the males, but are cinnamon colored (Pogue, 1988).
Forewing Length: 3.7-4.5 mm for males and 4.0-4.5 mm for females (Pogue, 1988).
Adult Structural Features: Pogue (1988) has illustrations and descriptions of the male and female genitalia (also see structural photos below).
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae specialize on Baccharis halimifolia. Diatloff and Palmer (1988) summarized their observations of the life history based on field observations in the eastern US and reared larvae in Australia. The females lay whitish, translucent eggs along the midrib on the upper surface of fully expanded leaves. The larvae hatch in 10 to 20 days and the hatchlings first feed on nearby leaves. After 2 to 3 days, each larva moves to a growing tip and fuses young leaves together with silk to form a protective tube. The larva lives within this tube, but leaves it periodically to feed on adjacent leaves. The leaves and the growing point in the tube usually die so that further growth of the stem is arrested. Pupation occurs within the tube, and the life cycle is completed in 4-6 weeks.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Lorita baccharivora is found in lower Coastal Plain habitats from Rhode Island southward to southern Florida, and westward along the Gulf Coast region to southeastern Texas. As of 2023, all of our records are from Onslow and Carteret counties.
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: Local populations appear to have two broods per year in most areas of the range, with the first from April through June and the second from August through October. Populations in North Carolina also appear to be bivoltine, with the first brood in May and the second in late summer.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are restricted to sites that support Baccharis halimifolia. This species was apparently native to the lower Coastal Plain but has expanded its range inward well into the Piedmont. However, all of our records for L. baccharivora are from sites near the coast where Baccharis was native.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to be monophagous on Groundsel-tree (Baccharis halimifolia; Diatloff and Palmer, 1988; Pogue, 1988). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found in tied leaves on the host plant.
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 uncommon in North Carolina and restricted to coastal habitats. Populations in North Carolina may be an isolated geographic group from those farther south and north.

 Photo Gallery for Lorita baccharivora - No common name

Photos: 6

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-04-29
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2021-05-21
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2021-05-21
Carteret Co.
Comment: A male. 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2021-05-20
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2021-05-20
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-05-11
Carteret Co.
Comment: