Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Nomophila Members:	199 NC Records

Nomophila nearctica Munroe, 1973 - Lucerne Moth

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Pyraustinae

Tribe:
Spilomelini

P3 Number:
80a1097

MONA Number:
5156.00

Other Common Name:
Celery Stalkworm

Species Status: The common name 'lucerne' refers to alfalfa, which is one of the hosts.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

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

Technical Description, Adults: Munroe (1973)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: MacKay (1972)

Adult Markings: This species is readily identified by its spot pattern and the long, narrow forewings that are held close to the body when at rest. The following description is mostly based on the description by Forbes (1923). The forewing is over two and one-half times as long as wide, while the outer margin is less than half as long as the inner margin. The forewing ground has a mixture of dull white, tan and light brown scales, with the darker colors usually predominating to produce an overall brown ground color. The orbicular, reniform and claviform spots are all large, dark brown, and outlined with black. The reniform spot is often bilobed, while the orbicular and claviform spots are oval and either slightly separated or weakly joined together. The postmedial line is finely dentate when distinct, and the subterminal space is finely strigose with a feather-like patterning. The costa is unmarked except for three dark spots in the subapical area, and the terminal line is represented as a line of seven dark spots. The hindwing is light brown to grayish-brown and unmarked.

Wingspan: 27-35 mm (Munroe, 1973)

Genitalia and other structural photos

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

Immatures and Development: The following life history account is from Smith (1942) who studied populations in alfalfa fields in Kansas. The moths first emerge in April and individual females deposit from 80-142 eggs either in lines or in masses to the leaves or stems. The eggs require 3 to 4 days to hatch in mid-summer. The hatchlings initially begin feeding on the epidermis on one side of the leaves, but later skeletonized the leaf. They also begin to immediately make small horizontal shelter tubes about the bases of plants. These consists of silken webbings which incorporates particles of soil or small bits of rubbish just below or at the ground level. The larvae spend most of their time within the shelter-tubes and cut off leaves and drag them to the tubes where they feed on them with only their heads exposed to view. They will also web leaves lightly together when feeding upon them (Flint, 1922). The larvae have six instars and pupate on the ground surface in silk cocoons that incorporate bits of leaves and soil on the outside. The pupae are greenish for a day or two, then gradually turn reddish-brown. Populations in the eastern U.S. commonly have 2-4 generations per year, with the larvae overwintering in the soil.

The late-instar larvae are around 20-26 mm long. The head is yellowish brown and is overlaid with a darker brown pattern, while the thoracic shield can be brownish, yellowish, or brownish dorsally and yellowish laterally (MacKay, 1972). The body and thoracic legs are pale. The pinacula on the dorsum are large, almost flat, and brown, while those along the sides are somewhat lighter in color.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Nomophila nearctica is a very wide-ranging species that has been documented in every state in the conterminous U.S., as well as Alaska and southern Canada from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island. It also is found in Mexico and the West Indies (Munroe, 1973). This species occurs statewide in North Carolina.

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 year-round in southern localities such as Florida, California, and Texas, and mostly from April through October at more northern latitudes. It is also found from Mexico to the Neotropics. As of 2023, our records extend from late-February through late-December. Populations in North Carolina appear to be multivoltine with overlapping generations.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: This species is commonly found in open habitats that support grasses, forbs, and cultivated crops, including pastures, roadsides, croplands, powerline corridors, fencerows and residential neighborhoods.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae are polyphagous and feed on a variety of grasses, forbs, and cultivated crops (Smith, 1942; Covell, 1984; Heppner, 2007; Solis, 2008; Robinson et al., 2010; Beadle and Leckie, 2012). Agricultural crops that are eaten include several grasses such as oats (Avena sativa), Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and corn (Zea mays), as well as pasture grasses, soybeans, alfalfa, celery, and clovers (Trifolium spp.). Other taxa that are used include Sugarcane Plumegrass (Erianthus giganteus), White Sweetclover (Melilotus albus), Yellow Sweetclover (M. officinalis), Prostrate Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare), Rose-moss (Portulaca grandiflora), a cinquefoil (Potentilla sp.), and Charlock Mustard (Sinapsis arvensis). - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Fields, Gardens, and Ruderal Habitats

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S5

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

Comments: This species is common and does well in disturbed habitats and croplands. It appears to be secure within the state.

Photo Gallery for Nomophila nearctica - Lucerne Moth

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-26 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-26 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-24 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-23 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-10-20 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-10-02 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-10-02 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2025-09-02 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2025-09-02 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-08-29 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger, Becky Elkin on 2025-08-29 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-08-27 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2025-08-26 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-08-25 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Kevin Bischof, Rich Teper, Patrick Coin on 2025-08-15 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-09 Ashe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-27 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2025-06-18 Alamance Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-13 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-05 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-19 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gerry Wegner on 2025-05-03 Surry Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-02 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-31 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-03-18 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-12-17 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-11-18 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2024-11-15 New Hanover Co. Comment: