Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Evergestis Members:	20 NC Records

Evergestis unimacula (Grote & Robinson, 1867) - Large-spotted Evergestis

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Evergestinae

Tribe:
[Evergestini]

P3 Number:
80a1227

MONA Number:
4901.00

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

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

Technical Description, Adults: Munroe (1973)

Adult Markings: This is a very distinctive and easily recognizable species. The body and forewings are dull brownish fuscous, and there is a large, oblong, straw-yellow spot on the costa at about four-fifths the wing length. A small round spot of the same color is also present just beyond the middle of the wing on the anal fold (Munroe, 1973). The hindwing is also dull brownish fuscous and has a wider, more diffuse, and paler costal patch compared to that on the forewing. The fringe on the hindwing is pale, while that on the forewing is brown.

Forewing Length: 8-10 mm (Munroe, 1973).

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: Evergestis unimacula is found in eastern North America, including portions of extreme southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec). The range in the U.S. extends from Vermont and New York westward through the Great Lakes region to southern Minnesota and northeastern Nebraska, and southward to Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, northern Georgia, western North Carolina, West Virginia, and Maryland. As of 2023, our records are from both lower-elevation and higher-elevation sites in 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 have been observed from April through September in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak from May through July. Local populations in North Carolina are univoltine. As of 2023, our records range from mid-May though late-July.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Our records are mostly from mesic hardwood forests at lower to mid-elevations in the mountains.

Larval Host Plants: The hosts are apparently undocumented. - View

Observation Methods: The adults visit lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S2-S4]

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

Comments: This species is uncommon within the state, with only six site records as of 2023. Additional information is needed on its habitat preferences, feeding ecology, and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

Photo Gallery for Evergestis unimacula - Large-spotted Evergestis

Photos: 8

	Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-06-07 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-05-23 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-05-16 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-06-15 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-05-19 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Scharf on 2015-06-18 Avery Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Paul Scharf,B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger on 2014-06-08 Avery Co. Comment: 4100\'		Recorded by: Paul Scharf,B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger on 2014-06-08 Avery Co. Comment: 4100\'