Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
View PDFErebidae Members:
Crambidia Members:
73 NC Records

Crambidia pallida Packard, 1864 - Pale Lichen Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: ErebidaeSubfamily: ArctiinaeTribe: LithosiiniP3 Number: 930219.00 MONA Number: 8045.10
Comments: One of eleven named species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), of which six been recorded in North Carolina (several others are still undescribed). Two undescribed species that appear to be in the same species complex with pallida were mentioned by Forbes (1960) and may be present in North Carolina; other undescribed species may also be present.
Species Status: Crambidia pallida has long been regarded as a complex of several species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, BAMONATechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1960)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Generally small and pale grayish brown with lighter veins. Both sexes are similar and possess simple antennae, differing from C. lithosiodes in both respects. Certain populations are somewhat darker and/or smaller and may represent undescribed species; which one is the true pallida is unclear.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: Descriptions of the larvae are apparently unavailable.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The complex occurs statewide; the distribution of the individual species is unclear
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: Unclear until the species can be distinguished
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The majority of our records for this complex come from the Coastal Plain, where it occupies a wide range of habitats, including maritime forests, floodplain hardwoods, peatlands, and wet-to-dry Longleaf Pine Communities. Records from the Piedmont and Mountains come from both lowland and upland stands of hardwood forests. Until the members of this complex can be reliably separated, the degree of habitat specialization within this group cannot be determined.
Larval Host Plants: Like most Lithosiines, probably feeds on lichens, bark algae, and Cyanobacteria (Covell, 1984; Wagner, 2005).
Observation Methods: Comes commonly to abundantly to blacklight traps. Rarely, if ever, attracted to bait.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [SU]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands
Comments: While this complex as a whole appears to be widespread and secure within the state, determination of the conservation status of individual species cannot be determined until the taxonomy of this group is resolved.

 Photo Gallery for Crambidia pallida - Pale Lichen Moth

Photos: 18

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-09-16
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-09-06
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-09-01
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-06-21
Caswell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-09
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-06-03
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-09-10
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-07-13
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-09-13
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2019-09-10
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2019-09-10
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-09-05
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-08-03
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-06-01
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2017-09-27
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey on 2016-06-25
Washington Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2007-06-10
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall on 1993-09-16
Dare Co.
Comment: Male; wingspan = 2.0; forewing length = 0.4 cm