Moths of North Carolina
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6 NC Records

Agonopterix alstroemeriana (Clerck, 1759) - Poison Hemlock Moth

Agonopterix alstroemerianaAgonopterix alstroemeriana
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Gelechioidea Family: DepressariidaeSubfamily: DepressariinaeTribe: [Depressariini]P3 Number: 59a0087 MONA Number: 874.10
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.
Species Status: Agonopterix alstroemeriana was introduced to the US around 1970 and has since spread throughout many areas of North America. It specializes on Poison-hemlock, which is a highly toxic species that was introduced from Europe.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Immature Stages: Berenbaum and Passoa, 1983.                                                                                  
Adult Markings: The head and palps are creamy white and the antenna creamy white with darker annulations. The ground color of the forewing is light tan to pale brown. The anterior two-thirds of the thorax and the base of the wing are creamy white and form a broad horseshoe-shaped band that extends along the costa before narrowing and terminating at about one-third the wing length. A short chestnut colored streak is present near the mid-wing that adjoins a dark, squarish blotch that extends to the costa. A black discal spot is present just anterior to the chestnut streak. The costa has a series of dark blotches or spots that continue around the apex. This distinctively marked species is difficult to confused with any of our native Agonopterix in North Carolina.
Wingspan: 17-19 mm
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The adults overwinter and lay eggs after the spring leaf-out. Berenbaum and Passoa (1983) found early instar larvae in New York in early May that were feeding within tight tubular leaf rolls on Poison-hemlock. Both flowering and nonflowering plants were used, and the larvae also webbed together the flowers and developing seeds and fed on these. The late-instar larvae are green with three dark longitudinal stripes. The adults emerged during June and July.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Agonopterix alstroemeriana was apparently introduced into the US around 1970 and has rapidly spread through much of North America where conditions are suitable for the establishment of Poison-hemlock. As of 2023, all but one of our records are from the mountains even though Poison-hemlock is relatively common in 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: Populations are univoltine. The adults overwinter and become active with the spring warm-up. Breeding occurs after the host plant has leafed out, and a peak in adult emergence typically occurs in June and July. Smaller numbers of adults can be found throughout the remainder of the year.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are dependent on Poison-hemlock for successful reproduction. This introduced species can be found growing in low-lying, wet soils along riverbanks and in floodplains, and in a variety of disturbed habitats such as cultivated fields, ditches, fencerows and suburban parks.
Larval Host Plants: This species is monophagous on Poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum) (Beadle & Leckie, 2012). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae are easy to spot in rolled leaves of Poison-hemlock.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SNA
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This is an introduced species that only feeds on Poison-hemlock, which is also introduced. As an introduced species, A. alstroemeriana does not merit protection.

 Photo Gallery for Agonopterix alstroemeriana - Poison Hemlock Moth

Photos: 3

Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-02-10
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-04-08
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2012-07-25
Ashe Co.
Comment: