Moths of North Carolina
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15 NC Records

Pyrausta signatalis (Walker, 1866) - Raspberry Pyrausta Moth

Pyrausta signatalisPyrausta signatalisPyrausta signatalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: PyraustiniP3 Number: 80a0802 MONA Number: 5034.00
Comments: Pyrausta signatalis is a very wide-ranging species and BOLD has three BINs that represent genetically distinct lineages within the overall range. In North Carolina, this species occurs in both the Blue Ridge and in coastal communities, with members of the two groups belonging to separate BINs. Much more work is need to determine patterns of genetic variation in this species and the extent to which it may potentially reflect a complex of cryptic species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based in part on that of Forbes (1923) and Munroe (1976). The head and thorax are yellowish buff. The forewing ground color varies from purplish to rose pink or bright pink and is overlain with yellowish marks, including a small discocellular spot. The antemedial line is dentate and widest on the dorsal half; it typically narrows and terminates before reaching the costa. The postmedial line is also dentate and is widest near the dorsal and costal fourths. The middle section is narrower and often reduced to a line of 3-4 dots. The fringe varies from yellowish-buff to grayish-buff. The hindwing is brown to brownish-gray with a weak, pale, postmedial line that terminates well before the costa. The fringe is pale grayish buff.
Forewing Length: 7-10 mm (Munroe, 1976)
Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1976) 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 larvae feed within the flower heads on mints (Monarda), but details of the life history are lacking. The larvae are buff-colored with a narrow mid-dorsal stripe and a broader dark lateral stripe that runs through the pinacula. The head and prothoracic plate are pale amber colored and largely lack marks except for a single black lateral line. The dorsolateral pinacula have a pair of tiny black spots at the base of the setae that are more pronounced on the thoracic segments, while the pinacula below the spiracles are unmarked. The larvae develop more reddish coloration shortly before pupating.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Pyrausta signatalis is found across much of the U.S. from the New England states westward to Montana, and southward to Arizona, Texas, the Gulf Coast states and Florida. It is also found across much of southern Canada from British Columbia to New Brunswick. As of 2023, all of our records are from either the Blue Ridge or the eastern 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 fly from March through December in Florida and mostly from May through September elsewhere. As of 2023, our records are from early-June through early-September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The adults are commonly found in mesic hardwood forests in the mountains and in more open and xeric communities along the coast.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to specialize of several species of Monarda (Forbes, 1923; Schaffner, 1959; Covell, 1984; Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010). The known hosts include Scarlet Beebalm (M. didyma) and Wild Bergamot (M. fistulosa), but other species are likely used. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights. We encourage others to search for the larvae in the flower heads of mints.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Montane Shaded Herbaceous Seeps
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S3S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Pyrausta signatalis - Raspberry Pyrausta Moth

Photos: 3

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-09-08
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2012-06-19
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2006-07-20
Carteret Co.
Comment: