Moths of North Carolina
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6 NC Records

Lygropia tripunctata (Fabricius, 1794) - Sweetpotato Leafroller Moth

Lygropia tripunctataLygropia tripunctataLygropia tripunctata
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: SpilomeliniP3 Number: 80a0926 MONA Number: 5248.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Jones (1917)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Jones (1917)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The adults have an overall light yellowish ground color on both the forewing and hindwing that is overlain with dark brown markings. The head, thorax and abdomen are light yellow with the former two separated by a dark-brown collar. The costa of the forewing is shaded with dark brown along its entire length, with the shading markedly widening near the apex and continuing along the outer margin where it progressively narrows before reaching the termen. A small, round, blackish orbicular spot is present, along with a larger, crescent-shaped reniform spot. The AM line extends from near the inner margin, then angles basally near the middle to the costa. The PM line begins at the costal at around four-fifths the wing length and has an outward bulge that is weakly toothed. It then projects basally a short distance before sharply angling to run perpendicular to the inner margin. The hindwing has a pattern that is similar to the forewing, but with single spot rather than two, and reduced shading along the costa and outer margin.
Wingspan: 25-29 mm (Jones, 1917)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on the leaves of members of the Convolvulaceae (Morning-glory family). Jones (1917) studied larvae that fed on Sweet Potato in Louisiana, and mostly with insects that were reared in an outdoor insectivory that was somewhat warmer than ambient outdoor field temperatures. The larvae reside individually, either in a folded leaf, or in a shelter constructed by binding two leaves together. The young larvae eat small irregular holes in the leaf, while the older instars consume much more of the leaf. In extreme cases they may eat everything except the midrib and major veins. Larvae that were maintained at ambient summer temperatures required 13-16 days to complete the larval stage and had six instars. The final instar larvae were around 27 mm in length and pupated in loose cocoons within their shelter, with the adults emerged after 6-9 days. Jones (1917) noted that there are typically four or perhaps five generations per year in the Baton Rouge area. The last seasonal generation overwinters as larvae in tough, brownish, silken cocoons on the surface of the ground, and typically have dirt or leaf debris on the outer surfaces. Pupation presumably occurs following the spring warm-up, with the first adults emerging in early May in Louisiana. Jeff Niznik found larvae in North Carolina that were feeding either in a leaf fold or in a shelter made from binding the leaves of False Bindweed (Calystegia sepia complex) together. The larvae were rather nondescript, with a faint bluish-green body and a pale amber head.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Lygropia tripunctata has tropical and subtropical affinities and has been documented from Brazil and Venezuela northward through Central America and several Caribbean Islands to the southeastern US (Passoa, 19??). In the US, it occurs from southern Texas eastward along the Gulf Coast States to Florida, and northward to as far north as North Carolina. As of 2024, we have only three site records that are from the eastern Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain.
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are commonly found in open or disturbed habitats, including Sweet Potato fields, road corridors and suburban neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) appears to be an important host, but other members of the Convolvulaceae are also used, including other Ipomoea species (Jones, 1917). The reported hosts include Christmasvine (Turbina (= Ipomoea) corymbosa) and hog vine (Camonea (= Merremia) umbellata). As of 2024, we have one rearing record for a member of the Calystegia sepium complex, members of which are now placed in the genus (Convolvulus. - View
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 Lygropia tripunctata - Sweetpotato Leafroller Moth

Photos: 8

Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-16
Orange Co.
Comment: One of two reared adults from leaf folds/rolls on false bindweed (Calystegia sepium complex = Convolvulus).		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-12
Orange Co.
Comment: One of two reared adults from leaf folds/rolls on false bindweed (Calystegia sepium complex = Convolvulus).
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-12
Orange Co.
Comment: One of two reared adults from leaf folds/rolls on false bindweed (Calystegia sepium complex = Convolvulus).		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-28
Orange Co.
Comment: One of two larvae that were using False Bindweed, Calystegia sepium complex. The smaller larva folded leaves, while the larger tied multiple leaves together (see companion photos of the reared adults).
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-28
Orange Co.
Comment: One of two larvae that were using False Bindweed (Calystegia sepium complex = Convolvulus). The smaller larva folded leaves, while the larger tied multiple leaves together (see companion photos of the reared adults). 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-28
Orange Co.
Comment: One of two larvae that were using False Bindweed (Calystegia sepium complex = Convolvulus). The smaller larva folded leaves, while the larger tied multiple leaves together (see companion photos of the reared adults).
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2021-07-15
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2017-05-28
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: