Moths of North Carolina
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58 NC Records

Scoparia cinereomedia Dyar, 1904 - Sooty Scoparia

Scoparia cinereomediaScoparia cinereomediaScoparia cinereomediaScoparia cinereomedia
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: ScopariinaeTribe: [Scopariini]P3 Number: 80a1371 MONA Number: 4718.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: 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)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: The adults fly from May through August in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak commonly in June and July. Local populations appear to be univoltine throughout the range. As of 2023, our records range from early June through mid-August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Most specimens in North Carolina have been found in mesic hardwood forests, including rich cove forests and northern hardwood forests. They have also been found in wooded residential neighborhoods in the Blue Ridge, and in a dry to mesic oak-hickory forest in the Piedmont.
Larval Host Plants: The food resources that are exploited by this species are unknown (Munroe, 1972). It presumably does not feed on the leaves of vascular plants. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S3-S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species reaches its southern limit in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. More information is needed on its feeding ecology and abundance before we can fully assess its conservation status within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Scoparia cinereomedia - Sooty Scoparia

34 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-05
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2024-07-23
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2024-07-14
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-14
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-12
Watauga Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2024-07-02
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-25
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-25
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-06-24
Watauga Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell and Simpson Eason on 2024-06-21
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell and Simpson Eason on 2024-06-21
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell and Simpson Eason on 2024-06-20
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-06-17
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-29
Swain Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-07-27
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L.M. Carlson, Becky Watkins on 2022-08-14
Avery Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-08-07
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2022-06-23
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-06-11
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stefanie Hedrick on 2022-06-06
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-07-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-07-25
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-07-20
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-07-20
Madison Co.
Comment: