Moths of North Carolina
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3 NC Records

Nacoleia charesalis (Walker, 1859) - No Common Name

Nacoleia charesalisNacoleia charesalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: SpilomelinaeP3 Number: 80a1057 MONA Number: 5178.50
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Hayden and Troubridge (2015)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Hayden and Troubridge (2015)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species, the labial palps are upturned and uniformly colored, while the forewing is brown with grayish-brown lines that are sharply defined and fairly smooth (Hayden and Troubridge, 2015). The postmedial line has two broadly excurved humps. The discal spot is circular and hollow, and opposes a median line that extends inward from the inner margin. The hindwing coloration and lines are very similar to those on the forewing.
Forewing Length: 9-11.5 mm (Hayden and Troubridge, 2015).
Adult Structural Features: Hayden and Troubridge (2015) provide descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: In their native range the larvae are cryptic feeders on decaying vegetation. They also will bore into the stems and stem bases of turmeric and other hosts where they feed on the tissues and pupate within the tunnels. The larvae have a relatively colorless integument, along with a brown head and brown pinacula. The dark gut contents are visible in live animals.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Nacoleia charesalis is native to southeastern Asia and northern Australia. It was first found in North America in 2012 and has been spreading northward and westward since then, mostly along coastal habitats along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast. It currently occurs from North Carolina southward to Florida and westward to Louisiana and southeastern Texas. As of 2023, we have three state records, including one from a lower-elevation site 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 have been found during every month of the year in Florida, and mostly from April through August elsewhere. As of 2023, we have records from early-June through early-November.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our very limited records are from residential neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: In their native range, the larvae are cryptic general feeders on decaying vegetation; sometimes boring into plants, including sweet potato and turmeric (Hayden and Troubridge, 2015). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights, and also appear to be strongly attracted to fermenting fruit and baits (Hayden and Troubridge, 2015)
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNA SNA
State Protection:
Comments: This species is native to tropical Southeast Asia. It is currently too soon to tell if this species will establish breeding populations in North Carolina or will simply remain a stray coming up from Florida, where it has apparently become established.

 Photo Gallery for Nacoleia charesalis - No common name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-09-01
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-07-15
Buncombe Co.
Comment: