Moths of North Carolina
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Pococera Members:
2 NC Records

Pococera aplastella (Hulst, 1888) - Aspen Webworm

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: PyralidaeSubfamily: EpipaschiinaeP3 Number: 80a0650 MONA Number: 5605.00
Comments: The genus Pococera contains a taxonomically challenging group of species with many forms that are difficult to distinguish based on external morphology, coloration, and patterning. Rearing and knowledge of the host species can be helpful in a few instances, and some species can be identified based on external characteristics. However, we find many specimens from North Carolina that are challenging to assign to species with high confidence. The genitalia of species that have been examined from North Carolina are virtually identical and offer little help in sorting out species. DNA barcoding also offers little help since many of the established names show up in multiple BINs that likely reflect large numbers of misidentified specimens. Unfortunately, no one has any idea which of these specimens are accurately identified. A comprehensive study of North American members of the genus is clearly needed that will hopefully better delineate species boundaries and resolve some of the problems that hamper the accurate identification of specimens from within the state and elsewhere. At present, our assignment of specimens to certain species is best treated as provisional.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Immatures and Development: The larvae are colonial web makers that feed on deciduous hardwoods (Allyson, 1977).
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
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)

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Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are colonial web makers that feed on deciduous hardwoods (Prentice, 1966; Allyson, 1977; Robinson et al., 2010). The reported hosts include Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis), Paper Birch (B. papyrifera), Gray Birch (B. populifolia), Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera), Bigtooth Aspen (P. grandidentata), Quaking Aspen (P. tremuloides), Black Cottonwood (P. trichocarpa), Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana), willows (Salix) and alders (Alnus). - View
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Pococera aplastella - Aspen Webworm

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2017-04-21
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2015-06-13
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: