Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFPyralidae Members: Pococera Members: 4 NC Records

Pococera baptisiella (Fernald, 1887) - No Common Name

Pococera baptisiella
view caption 		Pococera baptisiellaPococera baptisiellaPococera baptisiella
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Pyraloidea		 Family:
Pyralidae		Subfamily:
Epipaschiinae		P3 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)                                                                                 
Structural photos
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.
Pococera baptisiellaAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New%20Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge 		Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Flight Comments: The adults have been observed from March through September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: Larvae feed on species of Baptisia (Allyson, 1977) and apparently Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) in the Midwest (BugGuide, MJ Hatfield). - View
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Pococera baptisiella - None

Photos: 6
Pococera baptisiellaRecorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Larry Chen, Sarah Toner, Joye Zhou on 2025-06-20
Richmond Co.
Comment: A larva from tied leaves of Baptisia cinerea. 		Pococera baptisiellaRecorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Larry Chen, Sarah Toner, Joye Zhou on 2025-06-20
Richmond Co.
Comment: Tied leaves on Baptisia cinerea.
Pococera baptisiellaRecorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Larry Chen, Sarah Toner, Joye Zhou on 2025-06-20
Richmond Co.
Comment: 		Pococera baptisiellaRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Pococera baptisiellaRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Brian Bockhahn on 2025-05-09
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Pococera baptisiellaRecorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2021-06-08
Richmond Co.
Comment: 2 traps