Moths of North Carolina
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Lipocosma Members:
7 NC Records

Lipocosma septa Munroe, 1972 - Exposed Lipocosma Moth

Lipocosma septaLipocosma septa
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: GlaphyriinaeTribe: [Glaphyriini]P3 Number: 80a1211 MONA Number: 4885.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is based on the original description by Munroe (1972). In this species the ground color of the forewing is creamy white with inconspicuous creamy-buff patches and bands. The wing base is marked with a bit of buff shading that is followed by a cream-colored antemedian area that has a convex outer margin. This pale area is followed by a buff-colored band that extends from the costa to the cell where it joins a prominent, inwardly oblique, reddish-brown band that extends to the inner margin. The band is followed by a faint gray antemedian line and is sometimes followed by a dusting of blackish scales. The postmedial line is far out on the wing and is indistinct and grayish buff. The disco-cellular spot is often absent. When present, it typically is not as strongly defined as it is in L. adelalis. The postmedian and subterminal areas have the cream colored ground that is shaded with buff. A dark apical spot is present, and the fringe is creamy-buff.

The ground color of the hindwing is white, and there is a conspicuous band of broad dark-fuscous scales from beyond the end of the cell to near the anal margin at about its middle. Just basad of this band and adjoining it is a strong subanal tuft of reddish-brown scales. In the resting position these continue the line of the reddish-brown band of the forewing. There is also a line of raised, whitish, spatulate scales that continues as a patch of broader, fuscous, raised scales on the fuscous band beyond the cell. The postmedial line is weak, grayish, sinuate and obsolete anteriorly and posteriorly. Beyond it is a weak grayish subterminal band. There is also a weak gray terminal line. The fringe is creamy buff basally and white distally.
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. Munroe (1972) noted that the larva makes a case much like that of Lipocosma adelalis, but that is smoother and relatively longer and flatter, with larger flattened expansions at the end. The case that was examine was presumably a museum specimen, and the habits and food of the larva was not reported.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This species is mostly found in the Coastal Plain and adjoining areas of the Piedmont from New Jersey to southern Florida, then along the Gulf Coast to eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma. Scattered specimens have also been observed farther north in Ohio. As of 2023, we have only two records and both are from 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: Adults have been observed in Florida from January through August, but in other regions they mostly fly from June through August. As of 2023, our two records are both from early July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented.
Larval Host Plants: The plant hosts, if any, are undocumented. The discovery of L. adelalis feeding on lichens (Kearfott, 1903) suggests that our other Lipocosma species might do the same. - 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: Thi species appears to be rare in North Carolina with only two locality records as of 2023. More information is needed on its distribution, abundance, preferred habitats and feeding ecology before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Lipocosma septa - Exposed Lipocosma Moth

Photos: 6

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-29
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-29
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stefanie Hedrick on 2024-06-25
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2022-07-06
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-07-04
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2010-07-05
Wake Co.
Comment: