Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Nepticulidae Members:	Stigmella Members:	12 NC Records

Stigmella new species 1 (undescribed species) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy

Family:
Nepticulidae

P3 Number:
0.00

MONA Number:
95.11

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

Online Resources:

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Eiseman (2022)

Adult Markings: This is an undescribed species that mines the leaves of birches and is a member of the Stigmella lemniscella group. It has a very long, convoluted mine, with the frass initially widely distributed across the mine, then usually narrowing to a central line near the end (Nieukerken, 2013; Eiseman, 2022).

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: This species appears to occur throughout much of the eastern US where the host plants are present, including New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina and Georgia (Nieukerken, 2013; Eiseman, 2022). As of 2024, all of our records are from the Blue Ridge, except for one record from Stone Mountain.

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
Immature 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 larvae have been found in late June–July and in September–October (Eiseman, 2022). As of 2024, our earliest mines are from early-July, which suggests that the adults first become active in late-June.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are generally associated with rich forests that support either Sweet Birch or Yellow Birch.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on birches, including Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis), Sweet Birch (B. lenta), Paper Birch (B. papyrifera) and Gray Birch (B. populifolia). As of 2024, we have records for Yellow Birch and Sweet Birch.

Observation Methods: Most records are based on mines on birches. The adults need to be reared and photographed.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3S4]

State Protection:

Comments: This undescribed species appears to be widespread in the Blue Ridge in forest settings that support birches.

Photo Gallery for Stigmella new species 1 - No common name

Photos: 23

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-08-28 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-08-21 Yancey Co. Comment: Mine was on Betula lenta.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-08-21 Yancey Co. Comment: Occupied mines were on Betula lenta.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-22 Madison Co. Comment: Mine was on Betula lenta.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-22 Madison Co. Comment: Mine was on Betula lenta.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-20 Madison Co. Comment: Mine was on Yellow Birch.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-20 Madison Co. Comment: Mine was on Yellow Birch.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-15 Henderson Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Betula lenta.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-15 Henderson Co. Comment: Mine was on Betula lenta.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-08 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-08 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-07-06 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-07-06 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-10-20 Alleghany Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-10-20 Alleghany Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-09-09 Jackson Co. Comment: Unoccupied mine was on Betula lenta.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-09-09 Jackson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-09-02 Madison Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Yellow Birch.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-09-02 Madison Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Yellow Birch.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-07-22 Graham Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Betula lenta.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-07-22 Graham Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Betula lenta.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-16 Buncombe Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Yellow Birch.
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-16 Buncombe Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Yellow Birch.