Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Eoparargyractis Members:	89 NC Records

Eoparargyractis irroratalis (Dyar, 1917) - Dewy Leafcutter Moth

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Acentropinae

Tribe:
Argyractini

P3 Number:
80a1352

MONA Number:
4785.00

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Technical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972)

Adult Markings: This is a small but colorful moth that typically rests with the wings held tentlike over the body. The palps and head are mostly whitish, while the forewing has a white ground color that is overlain with complex patterning. The basal half has a narrow inwardly curved brown line at the base that is followed by a broad zone of brown dusting in the submedial region. The dark brown median line is narrow and outwardly angled. Following this is a broad zone with dark brown speckling that is followed by a set of brown and white lines and bars that radiate from the tornus. Most of these widen to become wedge-shaped as they project to the costa. The most conspicuous is a wedge-shaped brown or brownish-orange costal bar in the subapical region that is margined by a very narrow, curved, white line basally, and a much thicker, wedge-shaped, white bar apically. The final mark is an orange bar along the termen that is thinly lined with brown scales. The hindwing marks are generally similar to those of the forewing except that the set of brown and white line and bars that radiate from the tornus on the forewing are replace by five black terminal eyespots that are flanked by smaller iridescent patches. The eyespots are partially embedded in and preceded by a band of orange to orangish-white wash.

Eoparargyractis irroratalis superficially resembles several other crambids such as Petrophila canadensis and Neargyractis slossonalis. It is best distinguished by using a combination of features that include 1) the narrow, inwardly curved, brown line at the base of the forewing, 2) the wedge-shaped brown or brownish-orange costal bar in the subapical region that is margined by a very narrow white line basally, and a much thicker, wedge-shaped, white bar apically, and 3) eyespots on the hindwing that are preceded by a band of orangish to orangish-white wash. Eoparargyractis plevie is very similar but lacks the orangish wash in front of the eyespots and has a black mark above the terminal spot.

Forewing Length: 5-7 mm (Munroe, 1972)

Adult Structural Features: Eoparargyractis species in the Southeast have very similar genitalia that are of little diagnostic value. Munroe (1972) has a general description of the male and female genitalia that applies to Eoparargyractis irroratalis and other members of the genus.

Genitalia and other structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Immatures and Development: The larvae are aquatic, but remarkably little is known about the larval life history. Herlong (1979) collected larvae from both ponds and streams, and they are commonly found in vegetated lakes. Munroe (1972) surmised that they feed on algae.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Eoparargyractis irroratalis is found primarily in the southeastern US. The range extends from North Carolina westward to western Tennessee and southward to southeastern Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. A possible geographic isolate also occurs in Maryland. As of 2023, all of our records are from the Coastal Plain and Piedmont except for one low-elevation site in the foothills of the Blue Ridge.

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 and from March through October in Alabama and Georgia. As of 2023, our records extend from late-April through mid-October. Populations in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina appear to produce two broods per year.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The larvae are aquatic and are found in both sluggish streams and standing water habitats such as ponds and lakes.

Larval Host Plants: The host plants are undocumented, but this species is suspected of being an algae feeder. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights. Much more information is needed on the larval life history and ecology.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S4S5

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: This is a locally common species that is affiliated with streams and wetlands; it appears to be secure within the state.

Photo Gallery for Eoparargyractis irroratalis - Dewy Leafcutter Moth

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-26 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-21 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-09-10 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-09-10 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rob Van Epps, Kevin Metcalf on 2025-07-20 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-19 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-06-19 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-06-19 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-03 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-01 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Miles Buddy on 2025-04-26 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-25 Columbus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-19 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Maurice Cullen, Todd Pusser, F. Williams, S. Williams on 2024-07-08 Gates Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-20 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-15 Scotland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-29 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-28 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-22 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-09 Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-06 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-06 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-28 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-10-06 Onslow Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-01 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Andrew W. Jones on 2023-09-07 Polk Co. Comment: