Moths of North Carolina
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Sole representative of Epipyropidae in NC
36 NC Records

Fulgoraecia exigua (Hy. Edwards, 1882) - Planthopper Parasite Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Zygaenoidea Family: EpipyropidaeP3 Number: 660001.00 MONA Number: 4701.00
Comments: Fulgoraecia exigua is the only Nearctic species in the family Epipyropidae. Members of this family have larvae that are specialized ectoparasites and ectoparasitoids that feed on hemipteran insects.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species all parts of the body are uniformly dark brown to smoky black, except for the forewing that often has a small pale spot in the middle of the post-median area (typical of North Carolina specimens). The forewing is noticeably rounded and the antenna of both sexes is bipectinate. Some of the small bagworms such as Cryptothelea gloverii as similar in having uniformly dark coloration and broad wings, but are much larger (> 14 mm versus 9-10 mm for F. exigua).
Wingspan: 9-10 mm (Covell, 1984)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: The larvae are unusual in being ectoparasites on leafhoppers. Details of the larvae life history are limited, but in other epipyropids the female lays eggs on plants in the vicinity of potential hosts, and the first instar hatchlings seek out and attach to their hosts (Paiero et al., 2021). The larvae secrete a white waxy coating and remain as ectoparasites until mature. As they grow larger, they typically cause a wing of the host to be displaced outward from the normal resting position. Paiero et al. (2021) found the larvae attached to the sides of the abdomens of a plant hopper (Acanalonia conica) in Canada, with numerous white cocoons with pupae observed in September that were both hanging from silken threads and directly attached to leaves or branches. The pupal cocoons are more-or-less globular shaped with irregular, wavy or bumpy surfaces. Overwintering presumably occurs in the pupal stage, with the adults emerging in early to mid-summer in North Carolina.
Larvae ID Requirements: Unmistakable and widely known.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Fulgoraecia exigua is found in the eastern US and southern Ontario, with scattered specimens collected from as far west as Arizona and southern California. In the eastern US the range extends from Connecticut southward to central Florida, and westward to central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Missouri, eastern Kansas and Illinois. This species occurs essentially statewide in North Carolina, although as of 2023 we have no records for the extreme southern Coastal Plain and higher elevations 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
Immature 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 have been observed from May through October in different areas of the range, with peak seasonal activity typically from July through September. As of 2023 our records extend from mid-May through late-September, with populations appearing to be univoltine.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: We have records from a wide range of habitats, including cove forests in the Blue Ridge, dry monadnock forests in the Piedmont, bottomland habitats, and xeric sand ridges in the Coastal Plain. Many of our records also come from residential neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are ectoparasites and exploit members of four families of planthoppers (Fulgoroidea; Paiero et al., 2021). Any association with plants is therefore indirect. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found attached to the abdomens of planthoppers.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G4 S3S5
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Fulgoraecia exigua - Planthopper Parasite Moth

Photos: 27

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-11
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-22
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-22
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2023-07-28
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2023-07-28
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-17
New Hanover Co.
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Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-20
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-20
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-09
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-09
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-08-02
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Lior Carlson, Becky Watkins, Richard Teper, Stephen Dunn on 2022-07-23
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-07-23
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Hall, Ed Corey, Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, Tom Howard, Carol Tingley, Brian Bockhahn, and Van Cotter on 2021-09-30
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-21
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2021-09-17
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-09-04
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-02
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2021-08-10
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-09-12
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2020-07-01
Craven Co.
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Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2020-07-01
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2019-09-06
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-08-14
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: L. M. Carlson on 2019-08-07
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf on 2014-08-24
Surry Co.
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