Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Argyria Members:	74 NC Records

Argyria gonogramma Dyar, 1915 - Milky Argyria

Taxonomy

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Crambinae

Tribe:
Argyriini

P3 Number:
80a1453.1

MONA Number:
5463.10

Other Common Names:
Milky Urola Moth, Northern Milky Argyria Moth

Comments: Landry et al. (2023) conducted a comprehensive study of populations that were previously referred to as Argyria lacteella and related species. They made several taxonomic changes and concluded that Argyria lacteella (sensu stricto) is confined to Florida in the U.S. Specimens from North Carolina and much of the southeastern U.S. that were previously treated as Argyria lacteella have been assigned a new name, Argyria gonogramma. The latter is native to the U.S., while Argyria lacteella appears to have recently been introduced to Florida (oldest records from 1979) from perhaps Central or South America where it is native.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Landry et al. (2023)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Landry et al. (2023)

Adult Markings: This is a distinctive species that, when viewed from above, has brown antennae, white palps, a coppery-red head that is often white on the front, and a white thorax. The forewing is satiny-white and there are two blackish-brown spots in the median area, one on the discal cell near the center of the wing that is rounded, and the other on the inner margin that is more triangular-shaped (Landry et al., 2023). The costa has two short, curved dark-brown streaks, with one just beyond the middle and the second in the subapical area. In fresh specimens the two median spots and the first streak on the costa are connected by a rather faint, wavy line that is sometimes broken. The curved streak in the subapical area often has 1–3 reddish-brown lines that extend from the streak to the outer margin below the apex. A dark-brown to blackish terminal line is present on the outer margin, and the fringe is coppery colored. The hindwing and fringe are white, and sometimes with a faint row of spots along the outer margin.

Wingspan: 10.5-13.5 mm (Landry et al., 2023).

Adult Structural Features: Landry et al. (2023) have descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: Landry et al. (2023) reported that Tan (1984) was successful in rearing this species from egg to adult on St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum; Poaceae). The early instar larvae fed on the upper epidermis only and hid in shelters made of leaves attached with silk. Moulting also occurred in the shelters, while pupation occurred in cocoons that were small, compact, silken cases that were covered with frass and tiny pieces of chewed grass.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Argyria gonogramma is primarily found in the southeastern U.S., as well as Bermuda and the Bahamas (Landry et al., 2023). This species is most closely associated with the southeastern Coastal Plain and Piedmont, but occurs outside of these physiographic provinces in several areas of the range. In the U.S. the range extends from New York and vicinity southward to southern Florida, and westward to central Texas, central Oklahoma, Arkansas, western Kentucky and Illinois. Isolated records are known from other areas, including Vermont, eastern Missouri, eastern Iowa, Indiana, southern Ohio and northeastern West Virginia. As of 2023, our records are all 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 fly year-round or nearly so in the southernmost areas of the range, including Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. Farther north, the main flight period is from May through October. As of 2023, our records range from mid-April through late-October. Local populations in North Carolina appear to produce two or three overlapping generations each year.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: This species commonly shows up in residential neighborhoods. We have also taken it in a variety of natural habitats that range from xeric communities in the Sandhills to bottomland, alluvial forests.

Larval Host Plants: Landry et al. (2023) reported that Tan (1984) was successful in rearing this species from egg to adult on St. Augustine Grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum; Poaceae). We have been unable to secure Tan's document and are uncertain if observations were made of the larvae using St. Augustine Grass in the wild. This species is a warm-weather grass and is clearly not being used by larvae in the upper Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina. However, other members of the Poaceae could potentially serve as hosts. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and are occasionally spotted resting on vegetation during the day.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S4-S5]

State Protection:

Comments: This species is locally common within the state and frequently found in residential developments. It appears to be secure in North Carolina.

Photo Gallery for Argyria gonogramma - Milky Argyria

58 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-09-24 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-30 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-08-29 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-29 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-21 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Sarah Toner and Larry Chen on 2025-08-03 Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-07 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-28 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, John Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-04-14 Bladen Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-05 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-08-17 Johnston Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-15 Scotland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-30 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-10-27 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-10-13 Onslow Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2023-10-10 Warren Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-05 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-04 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, John Petranka on 2023-08-05 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-13 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, Steve Hall, and Bo Sullivan. on 2022-09-26 Scotland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2022-08-29 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2022-08-28 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-08-17 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-07-19 Chowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson, Stephen Dunn on 2022-06-04 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-05-30 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-04-23 Orange Co. Comment: