Moths of North Carolina
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Spinipogon Members:
2 NC Records

Spinipogon resthavenensis Metzler and Sabourin, 2002 - No Common Name

Spinipogon resthavenensis
Taxonomy
Family: TortricidaeP3 Number: 620204.00 MONA Number: 3842.00
Comments: Spinipogon is a genus with 14 described species that are mostly from Central and South America.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Metzler and Sabourin (2002)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based on that of Metzler and Sabourin (2002). The head has a low tuft that is ivory yellow and slightly darker laterally. The front of the head is similarly colored and somewhat darker on the outer margin. The palp is cream-buff to ivory yellow, and the antenna is cream to olive-buff, with the basal half filiform and the distal half laminate. The thorax is smooth and varies from pale orange to yellow ivory. The ground color of the forewing is pale yellowish orange and is overlain with dark marks. The most prominent is a trapezoidal patch on the inner margin at about one-third the wing length that has a mixture of black and fuscous scales. Opposing it is a small, blackish costal patch at about one-half. A tornal mark is also present that has a mixture of black and cinnamon buff scales. Just distal to the tornal patch is a streak composed of blackish, cinnamon-buff, and fuscus scales that extends from the subapical region obliquely to the outer margin. The costal has a few small blackish spots that are most prevalent on the basal half, and the hindwing is smoky brown with a slightly darker fringe. Metzler and Sabourin (2002) noted that this species is easily recognized by its small size (mean forewing length = 4.0 mm) and the trapezoidal patch on the inner margin at about one-third the wing length.
Forewing Length: 3.5-4.3 mm; mean = 4.0 (Metzler and Sabourin, 2002)
Adult Structural Features: Metzler and Sabourin (2002) provide a description of the male genitalia as follows. The tegumen is robust, with a mesal suture present. The socii consist of two rounded lobes that are joined at two-thirds their length from the base and have sparse setae. The gnathos is absent. The transtilla is wide, band-like, and distally drawn out to an elongated, median, downward-curved process with a quadrifid apex. The vinculum is broadly U-shaped, with the arms coalescent. The valve is nearly straight and terminally rounded. The apex is ventrally obtusely angulated, with many distal setae directed anteriorly. The sacculus is drawn to a broad prominent angle distally and has some setae along the margin. The juxta is large, flat, and lenticular. The aedeagus is broad to two-thirds, then abruptly narrows distally. It is curved ventrally and lacks cornuti. The females were unknown at the time of their publication.
Structural photos
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Specimens originally were collected from two counties in Ohio and very few have been collected from elsewhere. MPG shows one record from Ontario. As of 2022, the two records for Ashe County by Bo Sullivan represent a significant extension of the range southward.
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 be univoltine, with the adults flying in July and August. As of 2022, our two records are from mid-July and early August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species was originally described from Prairie habitats in two counties in Ohio. Our two records as of 2022 are from a semiwooded residential neighborhood and a mountain bog.
Larval Host Plants: The host are unknown but are presumed to be one or more herbaceous species that are associated with open habitats. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights, but perhaps very weakly so.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S1S2]
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be rare throughout its range. Only

 Photo Gallery for Spinipogon resthavenensis - No common name

Photos: 1

Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2019-08-03
Ashe Co.
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