Moths of North Carolina
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Agonopterix Members:
27 NC Records

Agonopterix curvilineella (Beutenmüller, 1889) - Curved-line Agonopterix Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: DrepressariidaeSubfamily: DepressariinaeTribe: [Depressariini]P3 Number: 420071.00 MONA Number: 859.00
Comments: Agonopterix is a large holarctic genus with more than 125 species, with most occurring in the Palearctic Region. Currently, there are 47 recognized species in North America. Our species are largely confined to the western mountains.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIFTechnical Description, Adults: Hodges, 1974                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following is primarily based on the description in Clarke (1941). This is a distinctive species that has a pale yellowish-gray to grayish-brown forewing, along with an elongated, curved, dark-brown to black streak at the middle of the wing that extends almost to the white discal spot. The antenna is fuscous with darker annulations. The labial palp is white with the second segment irrorated with blackish fuscous exteriorly. The third segment has basal and subapical bands and an apex that is blackish fuscous. A zone of gray to light brownish-gray scales covers the top of the head and thorax, then extends as a narrow band along the costal margin. The band sometimes terminates shortly before reaching the costa, but on some specimens extends all the way to the mid-costal region to produce a horseshoe shape. There are two small blackish-fuscous spots near the basal portion of the band. At the base of the wing that immediately adjoins the light band there is a dark patch or zone that lightens posteriorly until it grades into the ground color of the forewing. The remainder of the costal margin has a series of alternating dark and light spots or bars that are reduced in size along the termen. The legs are whitish with a series of dark blotches and bands along their length.

Forewing Length: 6.5-9.0 mm (Hodges, 1974)
Adult Structural Features: Clarke (1941) provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Although there are numerous adult records, almost no information is available on the larval life history and ecology.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Agonopterix curvilineella is found primarily in eastern North America, including much of southern Canada from Nova Scotia to Ontario and Manitoba. In the US, the range extends from the northeastern states westward to Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and southward to Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina. As of 2020, all of our records are from the lower elevations in the mountains.
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 overwinter and small numbers are sometimes active during warm weather in the colder months of the year. They have been observed during almost every month of the year, but are most active from April through July. As of 2020, our records extend from February to early August. Populations in North Carolina show two seasonal peaks, with an initial breeding bout in March-May and a second peak in July and August. It is uncertain whether the latter reflects a second generation, or simply adults emerging and dispersing from the first.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The habitats are poorly undocumented, but most of our records are associated with forested sites.
Larval Host Plants: The host plants are unknown.
Observation Methods: The adults regularly visit UV-lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SU
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to be restricted to the mountains where it is near the southern limits of its range. We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species to assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Agonopterix curvilineella - Curved-line Agonopterix Moth

Photos: 20

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-04-21
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-24
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-06
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-16
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-08
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-05
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-03-26
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-03-24
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-02-27
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-05-16
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-04-23
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-04-03
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-03-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-03-12
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-05-16
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-04-23
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-04-09
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-03-24
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-02-06
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2011-04-11
Buncombe Co.
Comment: