Moths of North Carolina
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Significant Contributors
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
Family (Alpha):
ACROLEPIIDAE-
ADELIDAE-Fairy moths
AMPHISBATIDAE-
AUTOSTICHIDAE-
BATRACHEDRIDAE-Batrachedrid Moths
BEDELLIIDAE-Bedelliid Moths
BLASTOBASIDAE-
BOMBYCIDAE-
BUCCULATRICIDAE-
CARPOSINIDAE-
CHOREUTIDAE-Metalmark Moths
COLEOPHORIDAE-Casebearer Moths and Relatives
COSMOPTERIGIDAE-Cosmopterigid Moths
COSSIDAE-Carpenter Moths, Goat Moths
CRAMBIDAE-Grass Moths, Snout Moths
DEPRESSARIIDAE-
DREPANIDAE-Hook-tips and Thyatirid Moths
ELACHISTIDAE-Grassminer Moths and Relatives
EPERMENIIDAE-
EPIPYROPIDAE-
EREBIDAE-Erebid Moths
ERIOCRANIIDAE-
EUTELIIDAE-
GALACTICIDAE-
GELECHIIDAE-Gelechiid Moths; Twirler Moths
GEOMETRIDAE-Geometer Moths, Loopers
GLYPHIDOCERIDAE-
GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE-Sedge Moths
GRACILLARIIDAE-Leafblotch miner moths
HELIOZELIDAE-Shield bearer moths
HEPIALIDAE-Ghost or Swift Moths
HYBLAEIDAE-
INCURVARIIDAE-
LASIOCAMPIDAE-Tent Caterpillar Moths, Lappet Moths
LECITHOCERIDAE-Long-horned Moths
LIMACODIDAE-Slug Caterpillar Moths
LYONETIIDAE-Lyonetiid Moths
MEGALOPYGIDAE-Flannel Moths
MICROPTERIGIDAE-Mandibulate Moths
MIMALLONIDAE-
MOMPHIDAE-Mompha Moths
NEPTICULIDAE-Minute leaf miners
NOCTUIDAE-Owlet Moths
NOLIDAE-
NOTODONTIDAE-Prominents
OECOPHORIDAE-Oecophorid Moths
OPOSTEGIDAE-
PELEOPODIDAE-
PLUTELLIDAE-Diamondback Moths
PRODOXIDAE-Yucca Moths
PSYCHIDAE-Bagworm Moths
PTEROPHORIDAE-Plume Moths
PYRALIDAE-Pyralid Moths, Snout Moths
SATURNIIDAE-Giant Silkworm Moths
SCHRECKENSTEINIIDAE-Schreckensteiniid Moths
SESIIDAE-Clearwing Moths
SPHINGIDAE-Sphinx Moths
THYATIRIDAE-
THYRIDIDAE-Window-winged Moths
TINEIDAE-Clothes moths
TISCHERIIDAE-Tischerid Moths
TORTRICIDAE-Leafroller Moths
URANIIDAE-
URODIDAE-Urodid Moths
XYLORYCTIDAE-
YPONOMEUTIDAE-Ermine Moths
YPSOLOPHIDAE-Ypsolophid Moths
ZYGAENIDAE-
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Noctuidae Members:
Abagrotis alternata
Abagrotis anchocelioides
Abagrotis brunneipennis
Abagrotis magnicupida
Abagrotis unidentified species
Abrostola ovalis
Abrostola urentis
Achatia distincta
Achatodes zeae
Acherdoa ferraria
Acrapex relicta
Acronicta afflicta
Acronicta albarufa
Acronicta americana
Acronicta betulae
Acronicta brumosa
Acronicta clarescens
Acronicta connecta
Acronicta dolli
Acronicta exilis
Acronicta fallax
Acronicta fragilis
Acronicta funeralis
Acronicta hamamelis
Acronicta hasta
Acronicta hastulifera
Acronicta immodica
Acronicta impleta
Acronicta impressa
Acronicta increta
Acronicta innotata
Acronicta insita
Acronicta insularis
Acronicta interrupta
Acronicta laetifica
Acronicta laetifica-hasta-interrupta
Acronicta lanceolaria
Acronicta lepusculina
Acronicta lithospila
Acronicta lobeliae
Acronicta longa
Acronicta modica
Acronicta morula
Acronicta noctivaga
Acronicta oblinita
Acronicta ovata
Acronicta perblanda
Acronicta radcliffei
Acronicta retardata
Acronicta rubricoma
Acronicta sinescripta
Acronicta spinigera
Acronicta superans
Acronicta tristis
Acronicta tritona
Acronicta unidentified species
Acronicta vinnula
Agnorisma badinodis
Agnorisma bollii
Agrotis buchholzi
Agrotis gladiaria
Agrotis ipsilon
Agrotis malefida
Agrotis unidentified species
Agrotis venerabilis
Agrotis vetusta
Agrotis volubilis
Allagrapha aerea
Alypia octomaculata
Amphipoea americana
Amphipoea erepta
Amphipoea interoceanica
Amphipoea unidentified species
Amphipyra glabella
Amphipyra pyramidoides
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Amyna bullula
Amyna stricta
Amyna unidentified species
Anagrapha falcifera
Anaplectoides brunneomedia
Anaplectoides prasina
Anaplectoides pressus
Anarta trifolii
Anathix ralla
Anicla forbesi
Anicla illapsa
Anicla infecta
Anicla lubricans
Anicla simplicius
Anicla sullivani
Anicla unidentified species
Anterastria teratophora
Apamea amputatrix
Apamea cariosa
Apamea cristata
Apamea devastator
Apamea dubitans
Apamea helva
Apamea indocilis
Apamea inebriata
Apamea lignicolora
Apamea lintneri
Apamea nigrior
Apamea plutonia
Apamea quinteri
Apamea sordens
Apamea verbascoides
Apamea vulgaris
Apamea vultuosa
Apameine new genus 2 sp. 1
Apameine new genus 2 sp. 4
Aplectoides condita
Argillophora furcilla
Argyrogramma verruca
Athetis tarda
Autographa ampla
Autographa precationis
Autoplusia egena
Azenia obtusa
Bagisara rectifascia
Bagisara repanda
Balsa labecula
Balsa malana
Balsa tristrigella
Basilodes pepita
Bellura brehmei
Bellura densa
Bellura gortynoides
Bellura obliqua
Bellura unidentified species
Callopistria cordata
Callopistria floridensis
Callopistria granitosa
Callopistria mollissima
Capis curvata
Cerastis fishii
Cerastis tenebrifera
Cerma cerintha
Cerma cora
Chaetaglaea fergusoni
Chaetaglaea rhonda
Chaetaglaea sericea
Chaetaglaea unidentified species
Charadra deridens
Cherokeea attakullakulla
Chloridea subflexa
Chloridea unidentified species
Chloridea virescens
Choephora fungorum
Chrysanympha formosa
Chrysodeixis includens
Chytonix palliatricula
Chytonix sensilis
Cirrhophanus triangulifer
Colocasia flavicornis
Colocasia propinquilinea
Colocasia unidentified species
Condica confederata
Condica confederata-cupentia
Condica cupentia
Condica mobilis
Condica sutor
Condica unidentified species
Condica vecors
Condica videns
Copivaleria grotei
Cosmia calami
Crambodes talidiformis
Crocigrapha normani
Ctenoplusia oxygramma
Cucullia alfarata
Cucullia asteroides
Cucullia convexipennis
Cucullia florea
Cucullia unidentified species
Dargida aleada
Dargida diffusa
Dargida rubripennis
Dargida unidentified species
Deltote bellicula
Derrima stellata
Diachrysia aereoides
Diachrysia balluca
Diarsia jucunda
Diarsia rubifera
Dichagyris acclivis
Dichagyris broui
Diphthera festiva
Dypterygia patina
Dypterygia rozmani
Egira alternans
Elaphria alapallida
Elaphria chalcedonia
Elaphria cornutinis
Elaphria cyanympha
Elaphria festivoides
Elaphria festivoides complex
Elaphria fuscimacula
Elaphria georgei
Elaphria grata
Elaphria nucicolora
Elaphria unidentified species
Elaphria versicolor
Emarginea percara
Enigmogramma basigera
Eosphoropteryx thyatyroides
Epiglaea apiata
Epiglaea decliva
Epiglaea unidentified species
Eucirroedia pampina
Eucoptocnemis dapsilis
Eucoptocnemis fimbriaris
Eudryas grata
Eudryas unio
Eueretagrotis attentus
Eueretagrotis perattentus
Eueretagrotis sigmoides
Eueretagrotis unidentified species
Euplexia benesimilis
Eupsilia cirripalea
Eupsilia devia
Eupsilia morrisoni
Eupsilia schweitzeri
Eupsilia sidus
Eupsilia tristigmata
Eupsilia unidentified species
Eupsilia vinulenta
Euxoa bostoniensis
Euxoa campestris
Euxoa declarata
Euxoa detersa
Euxoa immixta
Euxoa messoria
Euxoa pleuritica
Euxoa redimicula
Euxoa scholastica
Euxoa tessellata
Euxoa unidentified species
Euxoa velleripennis
Euxoa violaris
Exyra fax
Exyra ridingsii
Exyra semicrocea
Exyra unidentified species
Fagitana littera
Feltia geniculata
Feltia herilis
Feltia jaculifera
Feltia manifesta
Feltia subgothica
Feltia subterranea
Feltia tricosa
Feltia unidentified species
Feralia comstocki
Feralia jocosa
Feralia major
Fishia illocata
Franclemontia interrogans
Galgula partita
Globia oblonga
Hadena capsularis
Hadena ectypa
Harrisimemna trisignata
Helicoverpa zea
Heliocheilus lupatus
Heliocheilus paradoxus
Heliothis unidentified species
Hemipachnobia monochromatea
Hemipachnobia subporphyrea
Homophoberia apicosa
Homophoberia cristata
Homorthodes furfurata
Homorthodes lindseyi
Hyppa contrasta
Hyppa xylinoides
Iodopepla u-album
Ipimorpha pleonectusa
Kocakina fidelis
Lacanobia grandis
Lacanobia subjuncta
Lacinipolia anguina
Lacinipolia erecta
Lacinipolia explicata
Lacinipolia implicata
Lacinipolia laudabilis
Lacinipolia lorea
Lacinipolia meditata
Lacinipolia new species 1 near laudabilis
Lacinipolia new species 2 near laudabilis
Lacinipolia olivacea
Lacinipolia renigera
Lacinipolia teligera
Lacinipolia unidentified species
Lateroligia ophiogramma
Lemmeria digitalis
Leucania adjuta
Leucania calidior
Leucania commoides
Leucania extincta
Leucania incognita
Leucania inermis
Leucania insueta
Leucania lapidaria
Leucania linda
Leucania linita
Leucania multilinea
Leucania phragmitidicola
Leucania pseudargyria
Leucania scirpicola
Leucania subpunctata
Leucania unidentified species
Leucania ursula
Leuconycta diphteroides
Leuconycta lepidula
Lithacodia musta
Lithophane abita
Lithophane antennata
Lithophane baileyi
Lithophane bethunei
Lithophane disposita
Lithophane georgii
Lithophane grotei
Lithophane hemina
Lithophane innominata
Lithophane joannis
Lithophane laceyi
Lithophane laticinerea
Lithophane lemmeri
Lithophane lepida
Lithophane oriunda
Lithophane patefacta
Lithophane petulca
Lithophane querquera
Lithophane scottae
Lithophane semiusta
Lithophane signosa
Lithophane tepida
Lithophane unidentified species
Lithophane unimoda
Lithophane viridipallens
Loscopia roblei
Loscopia velata
Lycophotia phyllophora
Macronoctua onusta
Magusa divaricata
Maliattha concinnimacula
Maliattha synochitis
Marimatha nigrofimbria
Megalographa biloba
Melanapamea mixta
Melanchra adjuncta
Melanchra picta
Meropleon ambifusca
Meropleon cinnamicolor
Meropleon cosmion
Meropleon diversicolor
Meropleon titan
Mesapamea fractilinea
Metaxaglaea australis
Metaxaglaea inulta
Metaxaglaea semitaria
Metaxaglaea unidentified species
Metaxaglaea viatica
Metaxaglaea violacea
Morrisonia confusa
Morrisonia evicta
Morrisonia latex
Morrisonia mucens
Morrisonia triangula
Mouralia tinctoides
Mythimna oxygala
Mythimna unipuncta
Nedra ramosula
Neoligia crytora
Nephelodes minians
Niphonyx segregata
Noctua pronuba
Ochropleura implecta
Ogdoconta cinereola
Oligia chlorostigma
Oligia modica
Orthodes cynica
Orthodes detracta
Orthodes goodelli
Orthodes majuscula
Orthodes unidentified species
Orthosia alurina
Orthosia garmani
Orthosia hibisci
Orthosia revicta
Orthosia rubescens
Orthosia unidentified species
Ozarba aeria
Pachypolia atricornis
Panthea acronyctoides
Panthea furcilla
Papaipema appassionata
Papaipema araliae
Papaipema arctivorens
Papaipema astuta
Papaipema baptisiae
Papaipema cataphracta
Papaipema cerina
Papaipema cerussata
Papaipema duovata
Papaipema eryngii
Papaipema eupatorii
Papaipema furcata
Papaipema impecuniosa
Papaipema inquaesita
Papaipema insulidens
Papaipema lysimachiae
Papaipema marginidens
Papaipema maritima
Papaipema nebris
Papaipema necopina
Papaipema nelita
Papaipema nepheleptena
Papaipema polymniae
Papaipema pterisii
Papaipema rigida
Papaipema rutila
Papaipema sp. 1
Papaipema sp. 3
Papaipema sp. 4
Papaipema speciosissima
Papaipema stenocelis
Papaipema unidentified species
Papaipema unimoda
Parapamea buffaloensis
Parastichtis suspecta
Peridroma saucia
Perigea xanthioides
Phlogophora iris
Phlogophora periculosa
Phosphila miselioides
Phosphila turbulenta
Photedes carterae
Photedes enervata
Plagiomimicus pityochromus
Platypolia anceps
Platypolia mactata
Polia imbrifera
Polia nimbosa
Polychrysia morigera
Polygrammate cadburyi
Polygrammate hebraeicum
Ponometia candefacta
Ponometia erastrioides
Ponometia exigua
Ponometia parvula
Ponometia semiflava
Ponometia tortricina
Properigea costa complex
Properigea tapeta
Protapamea danieli
Protapamea louisae
Protodeltote muscosula
Protolampra brunneicollis
Proxenus miranda
Psaphida electilis
Psaphida grandis
Psaphida resumens
Psaphida rolandi
Psaphida styracis
Psaphida thaxterianus
Pseudeustrotia carneola
Pseudeva purpurigera
Pseudohermonassa bicarnea
Pseudorthodes unidentified species
Pseudorthodes vecors
Psychomorpha epimenis
Pyreferra ceromatica
Pyreferra citrombra
Pyreferra hesperidago
Pyreferra moffatiana
Pyreferra pettiti
Pyreferra slotteni
Pyreferra unidentified species
Pyrrhia aurantiago
Pyrrhia cilisca
Pyrrhia exprimens
Rachiplusia ou
Raphia frater
Resapamea passer
Resapamea trigona
Schinia arcigera
Schinia bina
Schinia carolinensis
Schinia florida
Schinia gracilenta
Schinia grandimedia
Schinia indiana
Schinia jaguarina
Schinia lucens
Schinia lynx
Schinia mitis
Schinia nubila
Schinia nundina
Schinia obscurata
Schinia rivulosa
Schinia sanguinea
Schinia saturata
Schinia scissoides
Schinia septentrionalis
Schinia siren
Schinia sordidus
Schinia thoreaui
Schinia trifascia
Schinia tuberculum
Schinia unidentified species
Sericaglaea signata
Sideridis congermana
Sideridis rosea
Sideridis ruisa
Spaelotis clandestina
Spiramater lutra
Spodoptera dolichos
Spodoptera eridania
Spodoptera exigua
Spodoptera frugiperda
Spodoptera latifascia
Spodoptera ornithogalli
Spodoptera unidentified species
Spragueia apicalis
Spragueia dama
Spragueia leo
Spragueia onagrus
Stiria rugifrons
Subtribe Xylenina Unidentified Species
Sunira bicolorago
Sutyna privata
Sympistis badistriga
Sympistis chionanthi
Sympistis dinalda
Sympistis perscripta
Syngrapha alias
Syngrapha rectangula
Tarache aprica
Tarache terminimaculata
Tricholita signata
Trichoplusia ni
Trichopolia oviduca
Trichordestra beanii
Trichordestra legitima
Tripudia flavofasciata
Tripudia rectangula
Ulolonche culea
Ulolonche modesta
Xanthopastis regnatrix
Xestia badicollis
Xestia c-nigrum
Xestia dilucida
Xestia dolosa
Xestia dolosa complex
Xestia elimata
Xestia elimata complex
Xestia normanianus
Xestia perquiritata
Xestia praevia
Xestia smithii
Xestia unidentified species
Xylomoia chagnoni
Xylotype capax
Xystopeplus rufago
Achatodes
Members:
Achatodes zeae
44 NC Records
Achatodes zeae
(Harris, 1841) - Elder Shoot Borer Moth
view caption
Male, left: July 2, 2014, Ashe County, J.B. Sullivan; female, right: August 18, 2001, Haywood County, J.B. Sullivan
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Noctuoidea
Family:
Noctuidae
Subfamily:
Noctuinae
Tribe:
Apameini
P3 Number:
932444
MONA Number:
9520.00
Comments:
This genus contains two species, one Mexican and one from the eastern US, including North Carolina.
Species Status:
Specimens from North Carolina have been barcoded and seem to match others from Georgia to Canada. However, there is an unusual amount of heterogeneity and additional specimens from throughout the range of the species should be studied.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions:
Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)
Online Resources:
MPG
,
BugGuide
,
iNaturalist
,
Google
,
BAMONA
,
GBIF
,
BOLD
Technical Description, Adults:
Forbes (1954)
Technical Description, Immature Stages:
Silver, J. C. 1933. Biology and morphology of the spindle worm, or elder borer. USDA Technical Bulletin 345, USDA, Washington, DC.; Forbes (1954); Wagner et al. (2011)
Adult Markings:
A medium sized Noctuid. The ground color is crimson but overlaid with pinkish-brown; a distinctive patch of orange is present at the apex of the forewing, with the head and thorax the same color (Forbes, 1954).
Wingspan:
2.5 - 3.5 cm (Covell, 1984)
Adult Structural Features:
The male genitalia are quite characteristic: note the peculiar uncus which is curved under the tegumen; the aedeagus has a field of spines near the tip; and the vesica has one very distinct cornutus and a small sclerotized patch which may have had deciduous cornuti. In the female notice the sclerotized anal papillae which are pointed, a feature often found in females which insert their eggs into tight places such as elderberry shoots.
Structural photos
Male reproductive structures. Specimen collected September 18, 2009, Robeson County, by J.B. Sullivan.
Aedeagus. Specimen collected September 18, 2009, Robeson County, by J.B. Sullivan.
Female reproductive structures. Specimen collected June 4, 1972, Carteret County, by J.B. Sullivan.
Adult ID Requirements:
Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development:
Larvae bore into Elderberry and much of the life history has been described by Silver (1933). The larva is cream with two horizontal rows of black spots on each segment. Reports of the larva boring other plants need to be confirmed.
Larvae ID Requirements:
Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
Found throughout the state
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:
In the Mountains and Piedmont, there appears to be a single brood in mid-summer, while in the Coastal Plain there are two distinct broods.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
For most of the state, our records come from shallow impoundments, lake and stream shorelines, and other open wetlands, all where Common Elderberry (
Sambucus canadensis
) is common. Records from high elevations in the Mountains may reflect use of Red Elderberry (
S. racemosa
), which is strongly associated with Spruce-fir Forests and Northern Hardwoods, particularly in rocky areas (Weakley, 2015).
Larval Host Plants:
Larvae bore into Elderberry and much of the life history has been described by Silver (1933). Reports of the larva boring other plants need to be confirmed. -
View
Observation Methods:
Adults are attracted to lights but there is no evidence they come to bait or to flowers.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for
Shoreline Shrublands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
G5 [S4S5]
State Protection:
Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:
This species is widespread and occupies fairly common types of habitats, including disturbed areas. Nonetheless, we have relatively few records for it. If high elevation populations are actually associated with Red Elderberry, they may be at risk due to climate change. Otherwise, it is probably secure within the state.
Photo Gallery for
Achatodes zeae
- Elder Shoot Borer Moth
Photos: 12
Recorded by: Kelly Davis on 2024-05-13
Hyde Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Hall, Bo Sullivan, and Jim Petranka on 2022-08-29
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-06-05
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-05-23
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-05-23
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2019-07-30
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Chris Talkington on 2015-06-15
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jackie Nelson / Doug Blatny on 2013-07-31
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2012-07-13
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2007-06-11
Carteret Co.
Comment: