Moths of North Carolina
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15 NC Records

Glyphodes sibillalis Walker, 1859 - Mulberry Leaftier Moth

Glyphodes sibillalisGlyphodes sibillalisGlyphodes sibillalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: SpilomeliniP3 Number: 80a0964 MONA Number: 5198.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species has silvery white to light, translucent wings that are overlain with irregular, orangish-brown bands that are finely margined with black. The forewing has two oblique, basal bands that extend outward from the costa to the inner margin. A median band follows that is narrowest in the middle and usually has a white center on the basal half. The postmedial band is dentate on the outer edge, excurved, and strongly narrows as it extends from the subapical region of the costa to the inner margin. The median and postmedial bands are noticeably wider on the costa and encircle an oval white region between the two. The subterminal region is shaded with orangish-brown to light brown and is overlain with a blackish shade that is most prevalent on the costal half. The termen has a very thin black marginal line that adjoins the fringe, which is darker along the base.

The hindwing varies from silvery white to dull yellowish-white and is often translucent, except for the terminal third that has an orangish-brown to light brown wash that is margined with a thin black line basally, and sometimes dusted with blackish scales. A short discal dash is present, and a fragmented and somewhat obscure postmedial line is present that runs parallel to the black line that margins the light brown wash. The marginal line and fringe are the same as those on the forewing.

Glyphodes pyloalis is generally similar to G. sibillalis, but the latter is duller overall, and the postmedial and median bands are greatly expanded at the costa to encircle an oval white region.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on mulberry leaves and often create shelters by either folding the edge of a leaf over or binding portions of two leaves together. They consume patches of leaf tissue as they feed until most of the leaf is consumed (Forest Images, Bugwood.org). The larvae are nondescript with a light, translucent green body and light amber-colored head.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Glyphodes sibillalis has tropical and subtropical affinities and occurs from central South America northward to Central America and the Carribean. Populations also occur in the U.S. from New Jersey southward to southern Florida, and westward to eastern Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and southeastern Texas. As of 2023, we have scattered records from all three physiographic provinces within the state.
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 year-round in Florida, and from June through December elsewhere. As of 2023, our records extend from late-July through late-November.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally restricted to where mulberries are present, including semi-wooded residential neighborhoods, wet to mesic woodlands, and forest openings.
Larval Host Plants: This species primarily feeds on mulberries (Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010), including White Mulberry (Morus alba) and Red Mulberry (M. rubra). Robinson et al. (2010) also listed Common Fig (Ficus carica) and Cultivated Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) as hosts, which need to be verified with additional observations. - View
Observation Methods: The adults come to lights and the larvae can be found in leaf folds on mulberries.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3-S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Glyphodes sibillalis is widespread but uncommon within the state. More information is needed on its distribution and abundance before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Glyphodes sibillalis - Mulberry Leaftier Moth

Photos: 11

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-10-07
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-10-05
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-04
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-04
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-09-14
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2022-09-11
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-09-01
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2020-11-07
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-10-25
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2013-07-29
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2005-08-07
Carteret Co.
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