Moths of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha): Choose a Family

Home

View PDF	Depressariidae Members:	Agonopterix Members:	34 NC Records

Agonopterix eupatoriiella (Chambers, 1878) - No Common Name

view caption

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Gelechioidea

Family:
Depressariidae

Subfamily:
Depressariinae

Tribe:
[Depressariini]

P3 Number:
59a0078

MONA Number:
866.00

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:

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Chambers, 1878; Clarke, 1941

Adult Markings: The following is based primarily on description by Chambers (1878) and Clarke (1941). The head, antenna, palps, thorax and forewing vary from light brown or fuscous to dark gray. The labial palp is light ochreous-gray and the second segment is lightly irrorated with black scales. The third segment is long and recurved. It is almost entirely black, with only narrow, poorly defined, median and apical bands of the light ground color showing. The forewing is distinctive in having numerous tiny tufts that are composed of raised black-tipped scales. The four discal dots (Forbes, 1923) are generally inconspicuous except for the most posterior (dot 'd') that is white and surrounded by a few black scales. The two anteriormost discal dots ( 'a' and 'b') are often evident as tiny black dots with a few associated white scales. Dot 'c' is usually not evident. The costa has a series of poorly defined blackish spots, and the cilia are ochreous-fuscous. The hindwing is pale grayish and the legs are dark gray or fuscous. This species is rather nondescript. The light diffuse band behind the head that is pronounced on many Agonopterix is either missing or poorly developed, as is the dark blotch that adjoins it. The numerous minute raised black tufts on the forewing are the most distinctive feature of this species.

Wingspan: 22-24 mm (Clarke, 1941)

Forewing Length: 9.3-10.8 (Hodges, 1974)

Adult Structural Features: Clarke (1941) provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: Very little is known about the larval life history. A specimen that used Hairy Leafcup in Iowa (BugGuide) partially folded a leaf lengthwise using silk. The larva was light green with a rusty wash over the dorsum.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Agonopterix eupatoriiella is found primarily in eastern North America, including in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. In the US, the range extends from Vermont and Connecticut westward to Illinois and Wisconsin, and south and southwestward to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. This species has been reported from Mississippi and Florida, but we are unaware of any recent records from this region. Populations in the southern Appalachians in Tennessee and North Carolina appear to be disjunct from the main range farther north. As of 2023, most of our records are from the Blue Ridge, along with three records from the Piedmont.

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 have been recorded during most months of the year. They overwinter and are most active between February and May. As of 2023, our records extend from April through December.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The habitats are poorly documented, but records are generally associated with hardwood forests, forest edges, and more open, low-lying habitats.

Larval Host Plants: Hosts reported by Chambers (1878) and Hodges (1974) include White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) and Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata). Hairy Leafcup (Smallanthus uvedalia) is also used (BugGuide record). In North Carolina, Tracy Feldman reared larvae feeding on Yellow Crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis). - View

Observation Methods: The adults occasionally visit 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: We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species within the state to accurately assess its conservation status.

Photo Gallery for Agonopterix eupatoriiella - None

Photos: 15

	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Rich Teper on 2025-03-28 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Rich Teper on 2025-03-28 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2024-10-09 Macon Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-01 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-18 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-03-01 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-05-11 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-04-06 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-04-06 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-07 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-11-09 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn on 2020-06-02 Alleghany Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-12-09 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-24 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-24 Madison Co. Comment: