Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
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View PDFCrambidae Members: 19 NC Records

Herpetogramma fluctuosalis (Lederer, 1863) - Greater Sweetpotato Webworm Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: SpilomeliniP3 Number: 801195.00 MONA Number: 5244.00
Comments: One of 28 species in this genus that occur in North America (Solis, 2010; Handfield and Handfield, 2011), nine of which have been recorded in North Carolina
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONATechnical Description, Adults: Solis (2010)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The ground color of the forewings is pale yellowish or tan, without a whitish patch between the reniform and orbicular. A darker marginal shade is present as in bipunctalis but is not located immediately adjacent to the postmedian line (Solis, 2015). The dark spots on the second abdominal segment that characterize bipunctalis are absent in this species.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
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)

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Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to be polyphagous, but the hosts are rather poorly documented. Heppner (2003) noted that the larvae feed on False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) and Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Florida. Tracy Feldman found larvae on two wetland species in North Carolina, Lizard's-tail (Saururus cernuus) and Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia).
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Herpetogramma fluctuosalis - Greater Sweetpotato Webworm Moth

Photos: 24

Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-10-15
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-09-27
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-09-27
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-09-27
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-06-28
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-10-07
Scotland Co.
Comment: Larva found in tied Saururus cernuus leaf, with frass and damage. Larvae reared to adulthood and adult emerged 11/20/2020. The identity of the adult was confirmed by JoAnne Russo.
Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-10-07
Scotland Co.
Comment: Larva found in tied Saururus cernuus leaf, with frass and damage. Larvae reared to adulthood and adult emerged 11/20/2020. The identity of the adult was confirmed by JoAnne Russo.		Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-10-07
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-09-29
Scotland Co.
Comment: A larva was found in a tied leaf on Sagittaria latifolia, and reared to adulthood on leaves of this plant. The adult emerged on 9/29/2020, and adult was identified by JoAnne Russo through dissection.		Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-09-29
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-09-29
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-09-09
Scotland Co.
Comment: A larva was found in a tied leaf on Sagittaria latifolia, and reared to adulthood on leaves of this plant. The adult emerged on 9/29/2020, and adult was identified by JoAnne Russo through dissection.
Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-09-09
Scotland Co.
Comment: A larva was found in a tied leaf on Sagittaria latifolia, and reared to adulthood on leaves of this plant. The adult emerged on 9/29/2020, and adult was identified by JoAnne Russo through dissection.		Recorded by: Tracy S Feldman on 2020-09-09
Scotland Co.
Comment: A larva was found in a tied leaf on Sagittaria latifolia, and reared to adulthood on leaves of this plant. The adult emerged on 9/29/2020, and adult was identified by JoAnne Russo through dissection.
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-07-24
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey on 2020-07-20
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-09-08
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-06-06
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Amanda Auxier on 2017-09-13
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Amanda Auxier on 2017-09-12
Pender Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche on 2016-08-03
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey on 2015-06-09
Washington Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tom Sanders on 2012-07-27
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2010-09-08
Beaufort Co.
Comment: