Moths of North Carolina

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Bactra verutana Zeller, 1875 - Javelin Moth

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Tortricoidea

Family:
Tortricidae

Subfamily:
Olethreutinae

Tribe:
Bactrini

P3 Number:
51a0478

MONA Number:
2707.00

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)

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

Adult Markings: Species in this genus overlap one another in the coloration and pattern of the forewings and in many cases dissection is required to identify them to species (Heinrich 1926). However, strongly marked specimens show characteristic differences which Heinrich used to create a key based on appearance alone. Bactra verutana and furfurana -- the two species that occur in our area -- are both clay colored to dark wood-brown (Forbes, 1923). According to Heinrich, they differ mainly in terms of the markings (or lack thereof) along the costal region of the wing. In verutana, the costal region lacks any dark patches, particularly any extension of a basal dark patch out to the costa. In furfurana, a dark basal patch is present that reaches outward to the costa, or is at least represented by an outer dark margin on the costal half of the wing. The dorsal field of the wing (when folded) is marked with fine blackish or brownish spots or striae; in some of our specimens, this mottling appears to be greenish. Larger, more distinct dark spots may also be present. Forbes mentions slightly darker bars marking the position of the antemedian and median lines. A dark streak may also occur in the fold, partially overlapping the cell and sometimes enclosing a pale discal dot. A dark apical dash may also be present and there may be some longitudinal streaking towards the outer margin. The costal margin is marked with short, oblique dark and pale streaks. The terminal line is more continuous but also is somewhat checkered with black and white. The inner margin is likewise marked with alternating dark and pale streaks.

Wingspan: 11-17 mm (Heinrich, 1926)

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: While we have records that span the state, from the mountains to the coast, this species seems to be very rare or absent from most of the mountain counties, and has not been observed at higher elevations.

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats:

Larval Host Plants: Larvae feed on members of the Cyperaceae and Juncaceae (Forbes, 1923; Brown et al., 2010). Specific host genera include flatsedge (Cyperus), rush (Juncus), and bulrush (Scirpus). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina. - View

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Sedge, Grass, and Rush Mires

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S3S4

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Bactra verutana - Javelin Moth

101 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-08-25 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-08-20 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-03 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-03 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rob Van Epps, Kevin Metcalf on 2025-07-20 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-08 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-07-04 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-07-03 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-28 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Larry Chen, Sarah Toner, Joye Zhou on 2025-06-20 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Larry Chen, Sarah Toner, Joye Zhou on 2025-06-20 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2025-06-18 Alamance Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-24 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-24 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-05-22 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-04-29 Pender Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2025-04-27 Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-12-17 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-11-18 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-11-11 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2024-10-31 Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2024-10-29 Pender Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Randy Newman on 2024-10-28 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2024-10-28 Pender Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-10-22 Wayne Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-10-04 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-09-23 Wake Co. Comment: