Moths of North Carolina

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Pyrausta rubricalis (Hübner, 1796) - Variable Reddish Pyrausta

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Pyraustinae

Tribe:
Pyraustini

P3 Number:
80a0819

MONA Number:
5051.00

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

Technical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)

Adult Markings: In this species the area of the forewing between the dark antemedial and postmedial lines is heavily dusted with blackish to dark reddish-brown scales and contrast with lighter areas that occur on either side. The basal third of the forewing is uniformly dull orange to reddish umber, except along the costa, which is darker. The antemedial line is dentate, and the postmedial line is outwardly bowed on the costal half and dentate. The area immediately distal to the postmedial line varies from dull yellow to yellowish red and is the lightest portion of the wing. It is followed by a dark subterminal band and a dark, thin terminal line. The hindwing has a fuscous ground color with a lighter dull yellow to yellowish-red band at about two-thirds the wing length. The band is shorter than the matching band that adjoins the postmedial line of the forewing, and is divided obliquely by a short segment of the postmedial line. It is followed by a dark subterminal band and a thin dark terminal line. The fringe of both wings tends to be two-toned with the basal portion fuscous and the outer portion dull white.

Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1976) has a description and illustration of the female genitalia and BugGuide has an illustration of the male genitalia.

Structural photos

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

Immatures and Development: The larval life history is poorly documented. There is one rearing record ( iNaturalist; BugGuide) of a larva feeding on Monarda where the stem was partially cut and the larva resided in a leaf fold that was webbed together with silk.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Pyrausta rubricalis is found in eastern North America, including much of the eastern U.S. and portions of southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec). In the U.S., the range extends from southern Maine and New Hampshire southward to northern Florida, and westward to eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. Populations are uncommon throughout much of the southeastern Coastal Plain relative to other areas. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina, but is most common in the Piedmont and lower elevations in the mountains.

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 February through December in different areas of the range, with the peak flight from May through October. As of 2023, our records extend from late-February through late-October, with local populations probably having two or more overlapping generations per year.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are commonly found in partially shaded to more open habitats that support mints such as secondary roadways, field edges, powerline corridors and urban gardens. Many of our records are from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on members of the mint family. The only recorded hosts are Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) and a mountain mint (Pycnanthemum sp.) that Tracy Feldman found in North Carolina. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and are occasionally seen nectaring during the day on low vegetation. More information is needed on host use and the larval life history in North Carolina.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S4S5]

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

Comments: This is a common species that occurs statewide and does well in disturbed landscapes. It appears to be secure within the state.

Photo Gallery for Pyrausta rubricalis - Variable Reddish Pyrausta

110 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-04 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish on 2025-06-18 Alamance Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-04 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2025-04-05 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-01 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-09-22 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-03 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-08-22 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-08-13 Pamlico Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-08-13 Pamlico Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-30 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-15 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-07 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-05-24 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-04-19 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-12 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-17 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-03 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-28 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-10 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-04 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-04 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-04 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-26 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-26 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-17 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-17 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka, David George on 2023-08-05 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2023-07-07 Davidson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2022-10-23 Pender Co. Comment: