Moths of North Carolina
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Leptosteges Members:
4 NC Records

Leptosteges flavifascialis (Barnes and McDunnough, 1913) - Golden-Banded Leptosteges

Leptosteges flavifascialisLeptosteges flavifascialis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: SchoenobiinaeP3 Number: 80a1273 MONA Number: 5302.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Barnes and McDunnough (1913)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species the forewing has a white ground color that is sprinkled with varying levels of golden yellow to golden brown scales. The wing is crossed by three wide, dull, yellowish bands that extend from the costa to the inner margin. The first is at the wing base and is often broken in the middle, the second is just before the middle of the wing and often bends basally and narrows near the costa, and the third is subterminal and broadens towards the inner margin. A large, rounded spot is often present between the median and subterminal bands, and is sometimes fused with the median band. Both the spot and the two bands are usually margined with heavy golden-brown dusting. Beyond the subterminal band there is a zone of white ground color that narrows towards the tornus and has three or four small, yellow, elongated, oval spots embedded in the costal half of the ground. There is a diffuse, brown terminal line next to the fringe, which is white with a dark basal line. The hindwing has a similar ground color that is sprinkled with golden brown scales. The yellow marks with brown margins include a basal band similar to that on the forewing and often broken in the middle, a broad band just beyond the middle, and three small, elongated, oval spots in the subterminal region that resemble those on the forewing. The terminal line and fringe is similar to that on the forewing.
Wingspan: 11-13 mm (Barnes and McDunnough, 1913; BugGuide).
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Leptosteges flavifascialis is narrowly distributed in Florida and as a northern disjunct group in eastern North Carolina.
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 are active year-round or nearly so in Florida. As of 2023, our limited records (n = 4) are from mid-April through late-August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our few records are all from coastal communities, but details about the habitats that are used are lacking.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts are undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2-S3]
State Protection:
Comments: This is a seemingly rare species within the state with only four current records.

 Photo Gallery for Leptosteges flavifascialis - Golden-Banded Leptosteges

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-04-13
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Cory on 2016-06-24
Washington Co.
Comment: iNaturalist record: Photo 11232394 by Ed Corey.