Moths of North Carolina
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Colomychus Members:
21 NC Records

Colomychus talis (Grote, 1878) - Distinguished Colymychus Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: SpilomeliniP3 Number: 801292.00 MONA Number: 5200.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a very distinctive species that has a maroon ground color on the wings that is overlain with bold, irregular, dull-yellowish blotches that are narrowly margined with dark brown. The forewing has a small yellowish orbital spot, a large median blotch that extends from the inner margin, and a similar large postmedial blotch that extends from the costa inward. The hindwing has a small orbital spot and a single large median blotch that extends across the entire wing. Individuals normally rest with the forewings spread so that the blotch on the hindwing joins the median blotch on the forewing. Both wings have a thin black terminal line that adjoins a pale fringe.

The Pickleworm Moth (Diaphania nitidalis) is similar, but has a single large yellowish blotch on the forewing.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval stage is poorly documented. George Smiley (BugGuide) recently found a larva in Texas on a folded leaf of Climbing Dogbane (Thyrsanthella difformis). The larva ate part of the leaf, then abandoned it and folded another. The final instar abandoned its leaf, then folded another where it pupated. The larva had a light, translucent green body with a light amber head and thoracic plate that were unmarked.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Colomychus talis occurs in Central America and in the U.S. from Maryland southward to southern Florida, and westward to eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, western Tennessee, southern Illinois and southern Indiana. It is absent from the southern Appalachian region and Cumberland Plateau. As of 2023, all of our records are from the Coastal Plain and eastern 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 have been found from March through November in different areas of the range. As of 2023, our records range from mid-April through mid-September. Local populations in North Carolina appear to produce either one or two generations per year.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: We have several records from semi-wooded residential neighborhoods, as well as wet and mesic woods and woodland edges.
Larval Host Plants: The only documented host is Climbing Dogbane (Thyrsanthella difformis), which is a member of the Apocynaceae (George Smiley; BugGuide). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: We need additional information on host use and preferred habitats before we can accurately assess the conservation status of this species within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Colomychus talis - Distinguished Colymychus Moth

Photos: 11

Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-07
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-12
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-17
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-08-18
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-05-17
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2021-07-31
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2020-08-22
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2020-04-11
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2019-08-12
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-08-07
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Wyche on 2012-08-17
Gates Co.
Comment: