Moths of North Carolina
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48 NC Records

Scoparia basalis Walker, 1866 - Many-spotted Scoparia Moth

Scoparia basalisScoparia basalisScoparia basalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: ScopariinaeTribe: [Scopariini]P3 Number: 80a1372 MONA Number: 4719.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based mostly on that of Munroe (1972). In this species the basal and interfacial areas of the forewing are heavily peppered with grayish to light brown coloration. The pale antemedial line is generally obtusely angulate at or near Cu, is seldom evenly bowed, and has darker pigmentation on its distal margin. The dark orbicular and claviform spots are usually distinct, and one or both are usually produced as a short black dash. The reniform is well-formed and variable. In general, It tends to be less x-shaped as seen in some Scoparia. The postmedial line is often somewhat incurved before and behind the median flexure. The pale element of the postmedial line is distinct, and the dark pretornal patch is usually large and distinct. The outer margin has a row of 2-5 black dots, and the fringe is pale and either has a narrow sub-basal line or weak checkering.

Munroe (1972) noted that the name S. basalis has often been badly misapplied in the past. Most of the specimens placed under this name in collections have actually been S. biplagialis, but other small gray species of Scoparia -- as well as Eudonia heterosalis and other Eudonia species -- have also been mislabelled as S. basalis. This species is very similar to S. dominicki and generally requires genitalia dissections to distinguish between the two. In North Carolina, these species tend to sort out geographically, with S. dominicki occurring in the Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont, and S. basalis occurring from the Blue Ridge eastward to the eastern Piedmont and northeastern Coastal Plain. Specimens from areas of geographic overlap will require dissection. Scoparia basalis is also generally similar to S. biplagialis, but the latter has an evenly bowed antemedial line and a postmedial line that either zig-zags or is dentate on the costal half.

Scoparia basalis is often confused with Eudonia heterosalis. In the former, the whitish AM and PM lines tend to be wider and better defined, and the outer margin has a row of 2-5 black dots. In E. heterosalis the outer margin typically has a dark and somewhat triangular-shaped mark near the middle -- along with an adjoining dark, subapical patch -- rather than a distinct row of black dots. The two patches are often separated by a pale bar. The fringe of E. heterosalis also tends to be more heavily checkered than that of S. basalis. Worn specimens of the two species are often difficult to distinguish, and specimens of these and other similar forms may require dissection based on the degree of wear and phenotypic overlap.
Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1972) has descriptions and illustrations of the male and 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 is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Scoparia basalis occurs throughout much of the eastern US, and in southern Canada from Ontario eastward to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. In the US the range extends from Maine southward to northern Florida, and westward to Alabama, western Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and northeastern Iowa.
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 have been found from April through October in different areas of the range. As of 2023, our records range from late-April through early September, with seasonal peaks in May and June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Specimens in North Carolina are generally associated with hardwood forests, including bottomland forests in the Piedmont and mesic forests in the Blue Ridge. We also have a few records from wooded residential areas.
Larval Host Plants: The larval food resources are unknown. This species presumably does not feed on the leaves of vascular plants given the absence of larval records. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S3S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to be somewhat uncommon in North Carolina. More information is needed on its distribution, feeding ecology, and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Scoparia basalis - Many-spotted Scoparia Moth

Photos: 28

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-06-27
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stefanie Hedrick on 2024-06-27
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-06-25
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-06-25
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell and Simpson Eason on 2024-06-20
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2024-06-01
Davidson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-12
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2024-04-21
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
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: Stephen Dunn on 2023-07-02
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-25
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-06-18
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-03
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2023-06-02
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2023-02-22
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2022-06-23
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-06-01
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-05-29
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-05-05
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2014-05-30
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2014-04-25
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: FKW, SBW on 2006-05-16
Gates Co.
Comment: