Moths of North Carolina
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5 NC Records

Leptosteges vestaliella (Zeller, 1872) - No Common Name

Leptosteges vestaliella
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: SchoenobiinaeTribe: [Schoenobiini]P3 Number: 80a1277 MONA Number: 5306.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species has pure-white wings that are unmarked except for a small brownish to blackish subcostal spot on the forewing at about two-thirds the wing length; the spot is often missing on specimens. The head, antennae, thorax, abdomen and hindwings are also white. The fringe on all wings is white and well-developed, and the forward-projecting palps are clay-yellow and contrast with the other body parts. The forelegs are noticeably darker than the other legs.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Leptosteges vestaliella is primarily found in the southern U.S., with the range extending from central Kansas southward to central Oklahoma and eastern Texas, then eastward to Alabama and Florida. A few scattered records occur farther north into South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Vermont, many of which may reflect vagrants. There is also records from southern Arizona. As of 2023 we have only two site records, including a historical record from Guilford County, and recent records from a residential site in Buncombe County where eight specimens have been collected from what is assumed to be a breeding population.
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 observed from May through October in different areas of the range. As of 2023, all of our records are from a brief period in August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our one site with an apparent breeding population has a mixture of habitats such as pastures, mesic hardwood slopes, and willow and alder thickets.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts are apparently undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults come to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S1-S3]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: David Heavner has collected this species on several occasions at a site in Buncombe County which strongly suggests that a breeding population is in North Carolina. More information is needed on this species preferred habitats and host plants before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Leptosteges vestaliella - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-08-28
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-08-20
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-08-19
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-08-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment: