Moths of North Carolina
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20 NC Records

Diastictis baccatalis (Hulst, 1892) - No Common Name

Diastictis baccatalisDiastictis baccatalisDiastictis baccatalisDiastictis baccatalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: SpilomelinaeP3 Number: 80a0924 MONA Number: 5152.00 MONA Synonym: Samea baccatalis
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Hulst (1886)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Diastictis baccatalis is a distinctively marked species that has dull golden-yellow forewings with conspicuous white spotting. The following is based in part on the original description by Hulst (1886). The head, thorax, and ground color of the forewings are all dull golden-yellow, but sometimes dusted with fuscous. The forewing has three sets of dull white spots (basal; medial; postmedial) that are all edged with black. The black edging is most prominent on the outer and inner sides, in part due to the black antemedial and postmedial lines that adjoin certain spots, particularly in the postmedial region. The spots include a basal pair of similar size that are on the costal half of the wing, a middle pair with the costal spot noticeably smaller that the dorsal spot, and a postmedial group that consists of a relatively large quadrate spot in the subcostal region. It is followed dorsally by two small cone-shaped spots near the middle of the wing, and a final medium-sized spot just beyond these. The black postmedial line runs along the apical side of the first spot and the basal side of the two conical spots. The fringe is dull yellow with a line of diffuse dark spots near the base. The hindwing is mostly white, but with a golden-yellow wash in the subterminal region. The black antemedial and postmedial lines are similar to those on the forewing, and contrast sharply with the lighter ground color.
Wingspan: 22-24 mm (Hulst, 1886).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This species is restricted to the southeastern U.S. where it occurs from North Carolina southward to southern Florida, and westward to central Texas and central Oklahoma. As of 2023, all of our records are from the Coastal Plain and 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 are active from March through December in the southernmost locales such as Florida and Texas, and from April through October farther north. As of 2023, our records are from late-April through early-October.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species frequents open habitats such as Long-leaf Pine forests, field edges, old fields and residential neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts (if any) have not been documented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3-S4]
State Protection:
Comments: This species appears to be reasonably secure given that it has a large range and frequents disturbed or open habitats.

 Photo Gallery for Diastictis baccatalis - No common name

Photos: 19

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-07
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-12
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Hunter Phillips on 2024-04-29
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-26
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: Andrew W. Jones on 2023-08-01
Polk Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2022-09-19
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-07-23
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2021-08-22
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2021-08-10
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-08-08
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-08-08
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-08-08
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-06-19
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-10-03
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2019-09-15
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-08-24
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2014-09-14
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: