Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGelechiidae Members: Anacampsis Members: 1 NC Records

Anacampsis consonella (Zeller, 1873) - No Common Name

Anacampsis consonella
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea		 Family:
Gelechiidae		Subfamily:
Anacampsinae		P3 Number:
59a0475		 MONA Number:
2233.10
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Harrison and Berenbaum (2014)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Harrison and Berenbaum (2014)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Harrison and Berenbaum (2014) reported that A. consonella is very similar to A. rhoifructella in terms of coloration and patterning, and often is best identified using other features, including the phenology, coloration of the mature larva, and differences in morphology of the male and female genitalia and the 8th abdominal tergite. For very fresh specimens, the authors noted that the forewing of A. rhoifructella from the base to the fascia appears pale brown with a few medium-brown scales. In addition, the medium-brown spots contrast markedly. In A. consonella, this area of the wing is heavily suffused with medium-brown scales so that it appears somewhat darker, with the spots less contrasting. However, even moderately-worn specimens of the two species are indistinguishable and generally require dissection.

The following description of A. rhoifructella by Harrison and Berenbaum (2014) also applies to A. consonella, except as mentioned above and in the description that follows. When viewed from above, the adults have an overall medium-brown color, including on the head, thorax, hindwing and most of the forewing. The light-brown scales that predominate on the forewing are intermixed with numerous darker, medium-brown scales in the basal two-thirds of the wing. A light-tan, irregular, transverse fascia is present at around four-fifths the wing length that expands into a small blotch on the costa. Four diffuse and relatively dark blotches are present near the middle of the wing that include one at around one-fifth the distance from the wing base, a pair at around one-half, and a final blotch at three-fifths. The outer margin has a row of small black dots where it adjoins the fringe. The latter is nearly concolorous with wing and has five alternating bands of pale and dark scales. The hindwing is uniformly brown and slightly darker than the forewing, while the fringe is slightly paler than the wing, with three alternating bands of pale and dark along outer margin. The legs are brown laterally, with the apices of basal four tarsomeres yellowish-brown.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larvae fold leaves lengthwise and sew the lateral margins together with webbing to form a distinctive pouch-like shelter within which the larva feeds (Harrison and Berenbaum, 2014). The final-instar larvae are around 11 mm long and are dull green except for an orange-brown head and a blackish-brown prothoracic shield. The pinacula of most primary setae are large and black, and contrast with the green ground color of the abdomen. The authors collected larvae in central Illinois from 14 April to 7 May, with the adults emerging from 5 May to 24 May.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Harrison and Berenbaum (2014) noted that A. consonella has been reported from numerous sites in the eastern US, but that these records need to be confirmed by larval characteristics, genitalia or barcoding due to confusion with A. rhoifructella. Verified records include Missouri, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Ontario and Quebec.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Anacampsis consonellaAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge 		Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on Viburnum, and Smooth Blackhaw (V. prunifolium) appears to be the primary host (Harrison and Berenbaum, 2014). Nannyberry (V. lentago) is also a known host (iNaturalist; BugGuide). As of 2025, we do not have any host records for North Carolina. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the leaf-folds can be found on Smooth Blackhaw and other viburnums.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Viburnum Thickets
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SNR [SNR]
State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Anacampsis consonella - None

Photos: 1
Anacampsis consonella
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2022-06-05
Durham Co.
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