Moths of North Carolina

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Desmia maculalis Westwood, 1831 - Grape Leafroller Moth

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Pyraustinae

Tribe:
Spilomelini

P3 Number:
80a1065

MONA Number:
5160.00

Other Common Name:
White-headed Grape Leafroller

Identification

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

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

Adult Markings: Desmia funeralis and D. maculalis have very similar dorsal patterns and are most reliably identified based on the patterning on the ventral surface of the abdomen. Brian Scholtens notes that D. funeralis either has a solid white patch on the underside of the abdomen on segments 1-5, or a solid white mark with a slight break on segment 3. In contrast, D. maculalis has a broken white patch, where about one-half of segments 3 and 4 are clearly dark. Basically, D. maculalis looks striped on the underside, whereas D. funeralis looks like it is solid white or white with a single dark band (see MPG).

In North Carolina specimens, the outer of the two white spots on the forewing in D. funeralis is sometimes noticeably larger than the inner spot (but often not!), while in D. maculalis they are usually either equal or the outer one is very slightly larger (JBS, pers. obs). Additionally, the hindwing median white band or pair of spots can be used for identification in some instances. In D. funeralis there is usually a single large band that reflects the complete fusion of two smaller spots, and the band may have a hint of an indentation in the middle. In D. maculalis, males and females exhibit different hindwing patterns. The male band closely resembles that of D. funeralis, while the female band consists of either two separate small spots, or two small spots that are partially fused with a pronounced indention near the middle.

Because of the difficulty of reliably identifying specimens based on dorsal patterning, we strongly recommend that both a dorsal image of the moth and a ventral image of the abdomen be submitted together.

Wingspan: 20-25 mm (Leckie and Beadle, 2018)

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Immatures and Development: Desmia maculalis was synonymized with D. funeralis by Strauss (1916) and the two were not treated as separate species until recently. As such much of the published literature on the life history is confusing. This species is known to use grapes and Virginia Creeper as its primary hosts, but detailed, unambiguous descriptions of the life history are largely missing. The life history is presumably very similar to that of D. funeralis. The larvae have been found on Virginia Creeper in both rolled and folded leaves (BugGuide), with pupation occurring within the roll or fold. The late instars are very similar to those of D. funeralis in being translucent, yellowish-green on the sides and somewhat darker above. The head is light brown, and there is dark brown to blackish arc on the prothoracic shield that continues along its sides for a short distance. The second thoracic segment has four smaller black spots (pinacula) when viewed from above.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Desmia maculalis occurs in Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, and in every state in the eastern U.S. from North Dakota southward to Texas and eastward to the Atlantic coast. In the West, it occurs in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington. This species is found 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
Immature 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 peak activity from April through September. As of 2023, our records range from mid-April through late-October, with local population having two generations per year.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are commonly found in habitats that support native grapes and Virginia Creeper. Examples include pine, hardwood, or mixed pine-hardwood forests, particularly where forest gaps, forest roads, wildlife openings, and stream banks provide good conditions for the growth of the host species.

Larval Host Plants: The larval hosts appear to be very similar to those of Desmia funeralis, with both domesticated and native grapes (Vitis spp.) and Virginia Creeper (Pathenocissus quinquefolia) being the primary hosts. Tracy Feldman successfully reared an adult in North Carolina from Virginia Creeper, while Jeff Niznik reared one from Peppervine (Nekemias arborea). George Smiley (BugGuide) also reared an adult from Bushy Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia) in Texas. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights; more information is needed on host use in North Carolina.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR 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 Desmia maculalis - Grape Leafroller Moth

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-12 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-02 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Miles Buddy on 2025-04-26 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Miles Buddy on 2025-04-26 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-14 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-06 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-06 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-28 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-28 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-13 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-13 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-05-11 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Hall, David George, and David Bradley on 2024-05-07 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Hall, David George, and David Bradley on 2024-05-07 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-05-01 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-27 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-24 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-24 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-21 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-13 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-13 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-02 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-02 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-08-31 Orange Co. Comment: Leaf roll on peppervine (Nekemias arborea) was found on 8/31; photo of prepupal larva 9/12; adult emerged on 4/24.
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-08-31 Orange Co. Comment: A rolled leaf edge on Peppervine (see companion image of the larva on 2023-08-31 and reared adult on 2024-04-24).		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-14 Wilson Co. Comment: