Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Neohelvibotys Members:	20 NC Records

Neohelvibotys neohelvialis (Capps, 1967) - Common Caramel Moth

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Pyraustinae

Tribe:
Pyraustini

P3 Number:
80a0744

MONA Number:
4977.00

Species Status: "I dissect these for ID" (Scholtens, 2017)

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Technical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)

Adult Markings: This species exhibits markings that are similar to several other closely related species. The forewing is yellowish buff with darker brown to reddish-brown markings. The antemedial and postmedial lines are distinct and there is a small orbicular dot and reniform bar. The postmedial line is smoothly bowed outward from the costa, then projects obliquely to the inner margin. An even, dark, diffuse band is present along the termen. The hindwing is paler and has a relatively straight postmedial line that is incomplete. A dark, diffuse band is also present along the termen that is similar to the one on the forewing.

In their general coverage of taxa in all of North America, Capps (1967) and Munroe (1976) noted that this species resembles several other closely related species that occur in North America, and that they can only be reliably identified by examination of the genitalia. In North Carolina, this species can be separated from our Hahncappsia species by the absence of a diffuse subterminal line on the forewing and hindwing. If the specimens are in good condition, the coloration along the outer margin of the forewing and hindwing is also helpful in separating N. neohelvialis from Helvibotys helvialis; in the former, it is concolorous with the markings of the wings and in the latter, concolorous with the ground color of the wings. Neohelvibotys neohelvialis is very similar to N. polingi, but the latter is only known from two counties in the Sandhills.

Wingspan: 18-23 mm (Capps, 1967).

Forewing Length: IO-I2 mm (Munroe, 1976).

Adult Structural Features: Capps (1967) has descriptions and illustrations of the genitalia.

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: The range in the U.S. extends from Maryland southward to southern Florida, and westward to southern Arizona, Texas, eastern Oklahoma, western Tennessee, Missouri, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. Specimens have also been taken in the West Indies and Panama (Capps, 1967). As of 2023, all of our records are from the Coastal Plain and 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 have been observed from May through September in different areas of the range in the U.S. As of 2023, our records range from early May through early September, with one late season record from early November.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: We have records from sandy, xeric communities in the Sandhills and coastal communities, as well as residential neighborhoods in the Piedmont.

Larval Host Plants: The host plants 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-S4]

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

Comments: This species appears to be uncommon in the state, but more information is needed on its distribution, abundance, habitat requirements and feeding ecology before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

Photo Gallery for Neohelvibotys neohelvialis - Common Caramel Moth

Photos: 17

	Recorded by: David George, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-07-30 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-05 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Tim Foley on 2023-08-31 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-26 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-09 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-06-13 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-05-05 Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2022-08-28 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2022-08-04 Cabarrus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Bo Sullivan, and Steve Hall on 2022-07-24 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2022-07-13 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2022-07-13 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-05-31 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2021-07-21 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2020-11-04 Cabarrus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: T. DeSantis on 2011-08-30 Camden Co. Comment: