Moths of North Carolina
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41 NC Records

Vaxi critica (Forbes, 1920) - Straight-lined Vaxi Moth

Vaxi criticaVaxi critica
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: CrambinaeTribe: ArgyriiniP3 Number: 80a1458 MONA Number: 5466.00 MONA Synonym: Argyria critica
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Martinez and Brown (2007)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Vaxi critica is boldly patterned with orange or orangish-brown on a white background. The palps and head are white above, with the sides of both colored orange or orangish-brown. The forelegs are orangish, and the thorax has a narrow white median stripe above, with orange or orangish-brown laterally. The forewing has a silvery-white ground color with a broad, orange or orangish-brown, oblique median band. The terminal line and fringe are concolorous with the median band, which is margined on both sides by a thin line of orangish-brownish to blackish scales. Vaxi critica is similar to V. auratellus, but the median band of the latter dramatically widens near the inner margin to produce a connecting neck with the terminal line.
Wingspan: 15-18 mm.
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: Vaxi critica is widely distributed across the eastern U.S. and in adjoining areas of southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island). The range in the U.S. extends from Maine to southern Florida, and westward to eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Missouri, northern Nebraska, Minnesota and northeastern North Dakota. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina, but is relatively uncommon in the Blue Ridge.
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 in Florida and in all but the coldest months in other southern states. Northern populations typically fly from June through September, with a seasonal peak in July and August. As of 2023, our records range from late-April through late-October. Populations in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain appear to have at least two generations per year.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: We have records from both barrier islands as well as a number of sandhill seeps, all of which are open and herb-dominated. We also have records from riparian habitats, including bottomland forests and lake and pond shore habitats.
Larval Host Plants: The larval host plants 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 S4S5
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species is fairly common in North Carolina, but often restricted to moist or wet habitats. More information is needed on its host plants and larval life history before we can accurately assess its conservation status within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Vaxi critica - Straight-lined Vaxi Moth

Photos: 28

Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-07-11
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-05-13
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-16
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2023-09-25
Caswell Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-07
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2023-05-23
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-17
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-07-24
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-09-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-07-23
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2021-05-17
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2021-05-17
Columbus Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2021-05-17
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-05-04
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2020-10-26
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-09-21
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-09-21
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche on 2017-09-24
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2017-09-05
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2017-08-10
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2016-07-30
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-08-21
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-08-21
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-08-05
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2011-08-09
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2010-09-26
Beaufort Co.
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Recorded by: FKW on 2006-06-02
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2006-04-23
Carteret Co.
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