Moths of North Carolina
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30 NC Records

Crocidophora serratissimalis Zeller, 1872 - Angelic Crocidiphora Moth

Crocidophora serratissimalisCrocidophora serratissimalisCrocidophora serratissimalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: PyraustiniP3 Number: 80a0707 MONA Number: 4944.00
Comments: The genus Crocidophora contains seven described species from North America and India. There are three recognized species in North America and all occur in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is based in part on the description by Forbes (1923). The forewing ground is a pale straw-color and is overlain with dark brown lines, including on some of the veins. The antemedial line near the wing base is somewhat waved and oblique, and rather obscure in the male. The postmedial line is sinuous and deeply bowed near the middle of the wing, with patches of brown shading before it. The reniform is shaped like a dark bar, and the subterminal line is deeply toothed and runs nearly parallel to the outer margin. The terminal line is fine, continuous and brown. The hindwing has postmedial and subterminal lines that are similar to those of the forewing, but the postmedial is less sinuous and bowed. The fringe of both wings is the same or slightly darker than the ground color.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is rather poorly documented. Putman (1942) found the larvae feeding on two species of cutgrass (Leersia). They were found within a tube that was formed by sewing together the edges of a leaf. No other details were provided.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Crocidophora serratissimalis is found throughout much of the eastern U.S. and in adjoining areas of southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec; Nova Scotia). The range in the U.S. is from Maine southward to southern Georgia and westward to Arkansas, northeastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, eastern Nebraska and Wisconsin. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina, although it is relatively uncommon in the 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 have been documented from April through August in different areas of the range. As of 2023, our records extend from mid-May through early September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are associated with a variety of wetlands, which are the preferred habitats of the host plants. Examples include freshwater marshes and fens, swamp forests, riverbanks and shorelines, and roadside ditches.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to specialize on species of cutgrass (Putman, 1942; Munroe, 1976; Solis, 2008), and have been reared from both Rice Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides) and White Cutgrass (L. virginica). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to both building lights and UV-lights. We welcome additional information of the larval ecology and life history.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Sedge, Grass, and Rush Mires
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S3S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species is typically found around wetlands and is of some concern given the historical loss of wetlands within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Crocidophora serratissimalis - Angelic Crocidiphora Moth

Photos: 17

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-08
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-29
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-22
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-22
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-19
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-06-01
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-07-17
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-15
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2022-07-12
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2021-07-20
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-05-17
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-07-30
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-05-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf, S. Hall on 2015-07-22
Stanly Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Van Epps on 2012-07-27
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2011-07-19
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: FKW on 2006-05-23
Gates Co.
Comment: