Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Gelechiidae Members:	Chionodes Members:	207 NC Records

Chionodes mediofuscella (Clemens, 1863) - Black-smudged Chionodes

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Gelechioidea

Family:
Gelechiidae

Subfamily:
Gelechiinae

Tribe:
Gelechiini

P3 Number:
59a0971

MONA Number:
2093.00

Comments: The genus Chionodes is the most species rich genus of gelechiid moths in the Western Hemisphere, with 187 recognized species. Our knowledge of the diverse array of species in North America is largely due to the monumental work of Hodges (1999), who spend decades working on the group and described 115 new species (Powell and Opler, 2009). Many exhibit substantial variation within species and have drab coloration, typically with brown, dark gray, or blackish patterning on the forewings. These can only be confidently identified by examining secondary sexual characteristics and/or the genitalia of one or both sexes. Others are more boldly marked and can be identified by wing patterning. Many of our state records are based on Hodges (1999) database of over 19,000 specimens that he examined from major collections in the US. These include North Carolina specimens that he collected mostly from Highlands, and from a few other areas within the state.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

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

Technical Description, Adults: Hodges (1999)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Cave (1977)

Adult Markings: This is a distinctively patterned Chionodes, with a clay-colored ground on the wing, and a large blackish region with the anterior portion with a clean-cut oblique edge. The following detailed description is based on that of Forbes (1923) and Hodges (1999). The vertex, thorax, and ground color of the wing is light yellowish brown. The antenna is about three-fourths the length of the forewing and has light pale and blackish annulations. The second segment of the labial palp is yellowish brown with darker dusting, while the third segment is predominantly dark. The light yellowish brown ground of the forewing covers the wing base and extends along the inner margin to the end of the wing. It is narrowest where it meets an oblique, black fascia that begins on the costa at about one-fourth the wing length and slants posteriorly before ending just before the inner margin. The area behind the fascia is filled with varying amounts of heavy blackish dusting or mottling that often fills much of the remainder of the wing. A pale fascia is present at four-fifths that is sometimes interrupted near the middle. It is often masked by the heavy dark dusting. Four or more blackish spots are often evident along the margin of the wing tip. The dorsal surface of the abdomen varies from yellowish white to yellowish brown, and the lower legs are blackish with narrower whitish annulations.

Forewing Length: 4.2-7.2 mm (Hodges, 1999)

Adult Structural Features: Hodges (1999) has detailed descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on the seeds of Giant Ragweed (Forbes, 1923; Cave, 1977) and probably other species. The last instar larvae are 4.0-9.0 mm long and pinkish brown to brown. The thoracic legs are brown, and the pinacula and anal shield dark brown. The head capsule is dark amber to light yellowish-brown, while the prothorax is light brown (Cave, 1977).

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

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Chionodes mediofuscella is found throughout much of southern Canada, in coastal regions of the West Coast states, and in much of the central and eastern US, particularly where Giant Ragweed is found. This species is most common in the Piedmont and lower mountains of North Carolina, and relatively uncommon in the Coastal Plain and high mountains.

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: Adults fly from January through October in areas outside of North Carolina, with a seasonal peak in April through July. As of 2021, we have records from mid-March through early October. Populations in North Carolina have two or more broods per year, with the first breeding bout occurring in March and April.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: This species is strongly associated with Giant Ragweed, which is common in wet, sunny, alluvial soils or in disturbed sites that favor seed germination. Examples include seasonally flooded fields, the edges of agricultural fields, construction sites, and floodplains with fresh alluvial deposits.

Larval Host Plants: Cave (1977) and Forbes (1923) reported the larvae feed on the seeds of Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida). They appear to rely heavily on this one species and do not use coexisting populations of A. artemisiifolia. Chionodes mediofuscella is found in areas of the Atlantic Coastal Plain where Giant Ragweed does not grow, so secondary hosts are likely used here and at other locales in North America. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Open, Wet Herblands

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR 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 locally common in North Carolina and populations appear to be secure in the state.

Photo Gallery for Chionodes mediofuscella - Black-smudged Chionodes

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

	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2025-09-20 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-09-19 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Dale Morgan, Patrick Coin, Julie Tuttle, Becky Watkins, et al. on 2025-07-26 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-07-22 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2025-07-19 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-07-04 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka and Sally Gewalt on 2025-04-29 Warren Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-26 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-04-25 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Bonnie Eamick on 2025-04-25 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2025-04-05 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George on 2025-04-04 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish on 2025-03-19 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish on 2025-03-19 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-14 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-05 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-31 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin, Steve Hall, Carol Tingley, Tom Howard on 2024-07-27 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-24 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-21 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-04 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin on 2024-06-22 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George on 2024-06-20 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-05-14 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-29 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2024-04-17 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2024-04-14 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-04-09 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-04-02 Transylvania Co. Comment: