Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Ecpyrrhorrhoe Members:	15 NC Records

Ecpyrrhorrhoe puralis South, 1901 - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Pyraustinae

Tribe:
Pyraustini

P3 Number:
80a0850

MONA Number:
4973.10

Species Status: Ecpyrrhorrhoe puralis was introduced from southeast Asia into the eastern United States probably in the 1990s (Solis et al., 2010). It has since spread over much of the range of its host plant, the introduced Princess-tree (Paulownia tomentosa).

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Technical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)

Adult Markings: This species resembles several of our Hahncappsia species, but is significantly larger, lacks dark shading in the subterminal area, has uniquely colored forelegs, and has very different male genitalia (Solis et al. 2010). The forewing has a yellowish-buff ground color with transverse lines that are yellowish-brown. The antemedial line is smoothly excurved. The postmedial line extends from the inner margin as a slightly waved and weakly oblique line, then angles outward at around one-third the wing depth to run parallel to the inner margin for a short distance. It then joins an outwardly bowed and denticulate region on the costal half. The reniform is shaped like a small arc and nearly touches the postmedial line. The hindwing is concolorous with the forewing. Both the antemedial and postmedial lines are relatively straight and incomplete. The forelegs are distinctively patterned, with an extensive region of yellowish-buff near the base that is followed by a patch of chestnut brown on an otherwise pure white ground color.

Forewing Length: mean = 12.8 mm (n = 14) for females; 12.5 mm (n = 10) for males (Solis et al., 2010).

Adult Structural Features: Solis et al. (2010) have images of the male and female genitalia.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: The larvae feed only on the Princess-tree (Paulownia tomentosa), which is an introduced tree from southeast Asia. The larvae are rather nondescript with a dull whitish color. Pupation occurs in a thin, whitish cocoon.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: This species is found in the eastern U.S. from Massachusetts and New York southwestward through the Appalachian region to central Florida and Alabama, and westward to Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio. Populations have also been documented in Oregon (Solis et al., 2010). Local populations are patchily distributed due to their reliance of Paulownia tomentosa as a host plant. As of 2023, we have records from both lower-elevation sites in the Blue Ridge and 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: The adults fly from April through September in different areas of the range. Southern population probably have two or more broods per year, while northern populations are single-brooded (Solis et al., 2010).

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are patchy and centered around local populations of the host plant.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed only on the Princess-tree (Paulownia tomentosa). - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks:

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

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Ecpyrrhorrhoe puralis - None

Photos: 14

	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin, Steve Hall, Carol Tingley, Tom Howard on 2024-07-27 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30 Swain Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-06-13 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-05-21 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-01 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-09-10 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-07-29 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-06-09 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-08-22 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-07-05 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-09-03 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-09-02 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2017-09-30 Cabarrus Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2016-09-05 Orange Co. Comment: