Moths of North Carolina
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Epina Members:
4 NC Records

Epina dichromella Walker, 1866 - No Common Name


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: CrambinaeTribe: Chiloini (=unplaced)P3 Number: 800826.00 MONA Number: 5468.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Fernald (1888).                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following description is based in part on that of Fernald (1888). This is a rather non-descript species with an overall brown color. In males, the head, palps, antennae, and thorax are rich dark brown. The forewing ground is similar, with fine, scattered, blackish dots. A dark spot is present just beyond one-half the wing length at about one-third the distance inward from the costa. Many specimens show evidence of a darker brown, diffuse shade from near the cell to the termen at about one-third the distance from the apex, and a second diffuse shade that extends from the middle of the wing base and weakly curves to the tornus. The area between this and the inner margin is lighter colored than the general ground color and often finely specked with darker scales. The terminal line is represented as a row of seven fine black dots, and the fringe is paler than the adjoining ground color. The hindwing tends to be paler along the inner margin and tornal regions relative to the remainder of the wing, which is light buff. Fernald (1888) noted that the females are similar in overall patterning, but differ in being lighter and more brownish-yellow overall. The shading on the forewing tends more towards yellow, and the dots that are sprinkled over the wing are brown rather than black as seen in the males.
Wingspan: 43 mm for males; 54-61 mm for females (Fernald, 1888).
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: Epina dichromella occurs in coastal wetlands, with scattered records from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. As of 2023, we have only three site records for the state.
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 from March through October in Florida, and have been observed from May through August elsewhere. As of 2023, our records are from late-May through mid-June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species appears to be closely tied to the tidewater region but occurring at least a few miles inland from the coast in some areas.
Larval Host Plants: The only reported host is the widely cultivated Asian Rice (Oryza sativa; Robinson et al., 2010). However, Eiseman (BugTracks; January 26, 2015) noted that the record for this species feeding on rice was from Sri Lanka where E. dichromella does not occur, and is undoubtedly erroneous. As such, the hosts that are used by this species remain undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR] S1S2
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This appears to be a rare species in North Carolina and throughout most of its range, with only three site records for the state. The life history is undocumented, but it appears to be tied to using plants associated with coastal wetlands.

 Photo Gallery for Epina dichromella - No common name

Photos: 5

Recorded by: Britta Dace Muiznieks on 2015-05-27
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Dace Muiznieks on 2015-05-24
Dare Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Britta Dace Muiznieks on 2015-05-24
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2006-06-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: BOLD specimen.
Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2006-06-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: Bold specimen.