Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFPyralidae Members:
Pococera Members:
1 NC Records

Pococera baptisiella (Fernald, 1887) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: PyralidaeSubfamily: EpipaschiinaeP3 Number: 80a0664 MONA Number: 5619.00
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, BOLDTechnical Description, Immature Stages: Allyson (1977)                                                                                 
Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on species of Baptisia and Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) and web together leaves. Allyson (1977) reported that the final instar larvae are distinctive among our Pococera in having an entirely black body that lacks stripes. The head is yellowish-brown with dark brown reticulations, and the mature larvae are 14-17 mm long.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Pococera baptisiella is primarily found from Massachusetts and New Jersey westward through western New York, Ohio, northern Kentucky, Indiana, Ilinois, and Wisconsin to Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and northern Oklahoma. It also occurs sporadically along the Atlantic Coast region from New Jersey southward to all of Florida.
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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Flight Comments: The adults have been observed from March through September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on species of Baptisia (Allyson, 1977) and apparently Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) in the Midwest (BugGuide). - View
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
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