Moths of North Carolina
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260 NC Records

Loxostegopsis merrickalis (Barnes & McDunnough, 1918) - Merrick's Pyralid Moth

Loxostegopsis merrickalisLoxostegopsis merrickalisLoxostegopsis merrickalisLoxostegopsis merrickalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: SpilomeliniP3 Number: 80a1054 MONA Number: 5117.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a distinctive species with a clayish-yellow head and palps that strongly contrast with the grayish-brown to dark brown forewings. The forewing ground varies from grayish-brown to dark brown and has slightly darker antemedial and postmedial lines that are often obscured by the dark ground. A small, triangular, clay-colored patch is often present along the costa in the subapical area. The hindwing is uniformly brown and a shade lighter than the forewing ground. The fringe of both wings tends to be weakly two-toned, with the base darker than the outer portion.
Wingspan: 15 mm (Forbes, 1923).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Despite being very common, the life history of this species has not been documented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Loxostegopsis merrickalis is found in Mexico, the eastern and central U.S., and adjoining areas of southern Canada (Manitoba; Ontario; Quebec). In the U.S., the range extends from southern Maine and other New England states southward to southern Florida, and westward to Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, eastern Nebraska and the eastern Dakotas. We have records from all three physiographic regions, although this species appears to be absent from much of the northern Coastal Plain and the northern and southern mountains in the Blue Ridge.
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 February through September in the southernmost states, and mostly from April through September farther north. As of 2023, our records are from early-April through late-October. Local populations in North Carolina appear to be bivoltine, with spring and summer generations.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come from residential neighborhoods, mesic and dry forests, seeps, and xeric old fields.
Larval Host Plants: The larval host plants (if any) are unknown. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and are occasionally seen resting in the open during the day.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Loxostegopsis merrickalis is widespread and common throughout the state and appears to be secure.

 Photo Gallery for Loxostegopsis merrickalis - Merrick's Pyralid Moth

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

Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-10-13
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-09-21
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-14
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-06
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-31
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-28
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-08
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-29
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stefanie Hedrick on 2024-06-27
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin on 2024-06-22
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-06-18
Lincoln Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Patrick Coin, Mark Basinger on 2024-06-16
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-10
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-01
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-05-29
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-25
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-19
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-05-13
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-05-13
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-12
Rowan Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-09
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-09
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-28
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-19
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-17
New Hanover Co.
Comment: