Moths of North Carolina
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Chrysendeton Members:
10 NC Records

Chrysendeton imitabilis (Dyar, 1917) - Imitable Crambid

Chrysendeton imitabilisChrysendeton imitabilis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: AcentropinaeTribe: NymphuliniP3 Number: 80a1328 MONA Number: 4746.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species the thorax varies from coppery-colored to light brown with a prominent white scale tuft along each side. The forewing has a complex pattern that consists of a dark, ocherous ground color that is overlain with white patches and an orangish terminal band. The white marks include 1) a triangular mark on the dorsal half of the wing base that broadens distally before terminating at around one-fourth, 2) an oblique median patch on the dorsal half that broadens as it extends away from the inner margin and terminates well before reaching the costa, 3) a small spot or curved line on the inner margin and just beyond the median patch, and 4) a crescent-shaped band in the subterminal region that extends from the apex towards the tornus and usually terminates well before reaching the tornus. The latter is followed by an orangish to brownish-orange band that begins at the apex and extends to the tornus. From there it bends sharply inward and runs towards the apex of the median white patch. The orangish band often fades after bending inward and is may not be evident in some specimens.

The basal half of the hindwing has similar marks as the forewing, with a white, triangular mark on the wing base. The posterior half differs in having a large white patch that is heavily sprinkled with brown scales, and a terminal line of five black spots with tiny whitish to bluish ‘eyes’. The spots have small orange patches on their posterior edges and are sometimes fused into a band. The fringe on both wings is white to light gray with a broad brown basal line. Chrysendeton imitabilis is generally similar to C. medicinalis, and is most easily distinguished by the absence of the white line at about three-fourths that slants towards the tornus, and the triangular-shaped basal patch that is represented as a broad band in C. medicinalis.
Wingspan: ca. 12 mm (MPG)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history of this species is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Chrysendeton imitabilis is found in the eastern US from New Jersey and vicinity southward to southern Florida, and westward along the Gulf Coast states to eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma. Inland populations have also been found farther north in Kentucky, southeastern Missouri, northern Indiana and southern Ontario. As of 2023 our records are all from three counties in the southeastern Coastal Plain.
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 year-round in Florida, with progressive shorter flight periods as one moves north. Northern populations appear to be univoltine with a seasonal peak in July and August. As of 2023 our records extend from late-May through early September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The habitat requirements of this species are poorly documented. Adults that has been found perching during the day are often on aquatic or semi-aquatic plants such as rushes, which suggests a reliance on freshwater wetlands.
Larval Host Plants: The food resources and host plants of this species (if any) are unknown. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and are occasionally seen resting on vegetation during the day.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2-S3]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species is seemingly uncommon and has a restricted distribution within the state. More information is needed on its food resources and habitat requirements before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Chrysendeton imitabilis - Imitable Crambid

Photos: 9

Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-01
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-01
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-08-01
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-06-27
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-06-27
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2021-05-27
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-09-06
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-08-30
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-06-04
Onslow Co.
Comment: