Moths of North Carolina
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53 NC Records

Scoparia cinereomedia Dyar, 1904 - No Common Name

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: ScopariinaeTribe: [Scopariini]P3 Number: 800984.00 MONA Number: 4718.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species, the basal third of the forewing is typically dark brown and strongly contrasts with the light gray to whitish median area that is dusted with darker specks. The antemedial line abuts the dark basal patch, and the dark orbicular and claviform spots are obscure. The postmedian area is also often dark brown and contrast with the pale subterminal area. The postmedial line can vary from being smoothly bowed to obtusely angled, and the reniform spot is dark and often roughly x-shaped. A rather well-developed row of subterminal spots are present along the termen, along with a short dark dash or triangular mark near the middle of the termen. The hindwing varies from light brown to grayish-brown.

A light morph of this species exists that lacks the strongly contrasting dark and pale areas of the wing. This form has a more-or-less subdued grayish or light brown wing throughout with a lighter postmedial line, and can be difficult to distinguish from Scoparia basalis. Munroe (1972) noted that in the latter the antemedial line is generally obtusely angulate at or near Cu and is seldom evenly arcuate. In addition, the orbicular and claviform spots are much more distinct than in S. cinereomedia, the claviform is usually produced as a black dash, and the reniform tends to be larger and is 8-shaped and well formed. The postmedial line is also farther from the termen and is often somewhat incurved before and behind the median flexure. The uniformly colored form of S. cinereomedia appears to be uncommon to rare in North Carolina.
Wingspan: 15 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1972) has descriptions of the male and female genitalia and an illustration of the 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 of this species is undocumented (Munroe, 1972).
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Scoparia cinereomedia in found in southern Canada from southern Ontario eastward to Nova Scotia, with an apparent geographic isolate in Manitoba. In the eastern US it occurs from Maine westward to Ohio and southward through the Appalachian region to eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. As of 2023, all of our records are from the Blue Ridge, with the exception of one apparently isolated population in Mecklenburg County.
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)

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