Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Scoparia Members:	24 NC Records

Scoparia dominicki Munroe, 1972 - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Scopariinae

Tribe:
[Scopariini]

P3 Number:
80a1373

MONA Number:
4720.00

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972)

Adult Markings: Scoparia dominicki is a member of a sibling species complex and its external coloration and patterning is indistinguishable from that of S. basalis. In both 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 more 8-shaped than 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.

This species is very similar to S. basalis 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 dominicki 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. It is also similar to Eudonia heterosalis, but the latter is heavily dusted with fuscous and has a less-prominent antemedial line. Many specimens of these 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.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.

Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented for this species.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Scoparia dominicki is found in the eastern US and primarily in the southeastern Coastal Plain from North Carolina southward to northern Florida. MPG shows isolated records from northeastern Oklahoma and southwestern West Virginia. As of 2023, we have records from both the Coastal Plain and the eastern Piedmont.

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: Most of the few records that are available are from April and May. As of 2023, our records range from early April through mid-July.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Our records are mostly from sandy, xeric habitats in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain.

Larval Host Plants: The larval feeding ecology and food resources are undocumented. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2S4]

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 uncommon in North Carolina, but much more information is needed on its distribution, abundance and food resources before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

Photo Gallery for Scoparia dominicki - None

Photos: 14

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-25 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-24 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-21 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-21 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-17 New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-16 New Hanover Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2023-05-22 Davidson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-12 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-11 Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-05-17 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-05-19 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-04-15 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-04-04 Chatham Co. Comment: