Moths of North Carolina
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8 NC Records

Nephrogramma reniculalis (Zeller, 1872) - White-spotted Nephrogramma

Nephrogramma reniculalisNephrogramma reniculalisNephrogramma reniculalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: GlaphyriinaeTribe: [Glaphyriini]P3 Number: 80a1199 MONA Number: 4857.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is mostly based on that of Munroe (1972). The head, thorax and ground of the forewing vary from grayish to grayish-fuscous. The labial palps are upturned and have the third segment long and acuminate. The forewing is short and broad with whitish or pale AM and PM lines. The AM line is scalloped and weakly convex distally, and in many specimens it is rather obscure. The PM line is also often inconspicuous except for an oblique portion near the costa that appears as a contrasting streak. The streak is edged with dark scales basally and widens at the costa. The most conspicuous mark is a white, kidney-shaped, reniform spot that is accompanied by a pale quadrate spot behind the reniform in the anal fold. An interrupted terminal line is also usually evident that consists of blackish dashes that are preceded by a small patch of pale or whitish scales. The hindwing is colored much like the forewing and has an inconspicuous pale PM line. The fringe on both wings tends to be slightly darker than the ground, particularly towards the base.
Forewing Length: 5.5-8.0 mm (Munroe, 1972)
Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1972) has descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Nephrogramma reniculalis has a somewhat unusual range that extends from southeastern Arizona, northern New Mexico, central and western Texas, and Oklahoma northward to eastern Colorado, southern Nebraska and Iowa. From there the range extends eastward to Indiana, western Virginia, western North Carolina, northern Georgia and northern Alabama. As of 2023, all of our records are from the Blue Ridge, including a historical record from Tryon.
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 September in most areas of the range except for Texas where they are active from February through November. As of 2023, our records are from mid-June to early September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented. Our records are mostly from wooded or semi-wooded habitats with deciduous trees.
Larval Host Plants: The host plants, if any, 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 {S2-S3]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This mostly western species is uncommon in North Carolina where is reaches its eastern limits. We need additional information on its distribution, abundance, and preferred habitats before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Nephrogramma reniculalis - White-spotted Nephrogramma

Photos: 8

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-09
Mitchell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2023-07-02
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-09-09
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-08-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-08-19
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-06-15
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2012-06-18
Ashe Co.
Comment: