Moths of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha): Choose a Family

Home

View PDF	Coleophoridae Members:	Coleophora Members:	151 NC Records

Coleophora unidentified species - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Gelechioidea

Family:
Coleophoridae

Subfamily:
Coleophorinae

Tribe:
[Coleophorini]

P3 Number:
59a1352.53

MONA Number:
1398.01

Comments: The genus Coleophora contains a large number of very small moths that have been taxonomically challenging for experts. There are many undescribed species in North America, and several sibling species complexes that are taxonomically difficult. Dissections of genitalia are required to identify most species. The shape and size of the larval cases and host plants help to narrow down choices, particularly when combined with rearing. Jean-Francois Landry, who is an authority on the group, communicated the following to us: "Identifying Coleophora from external aspect is usually unwarranted, save for a few exceptions. Categories like white-winged and brown-streaked may be useful at a general level but not much beyond. Larval cases and host plants are very useful. Genitalia must be examined to recognize the majority of species. Moreover, specific differences are often subtle so high-quality dissections are necessary in which delicate membranous structures are preserved intact. Rearing adults from feeding larval cases, although oftentimes arduous, provides the best source of information. The taxonomy of Nearctic species remains largely unresolved, the number of undescribed species being at least three times that of named ones.” Coleophora species frequently occur at UV-lights and we have numerous records that currently cannot be placed beyond the genus level. Some of these are undoubtedly undescribed species.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

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

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

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution:

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats:

Larval Host Plants:

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks:

State Protection:

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Coleophora unidentified species - No common name

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, David Cheng, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Bonnie Eamick on 2025-04-25 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2025-04-14 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2025-04-14 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2025-04-13 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2025-04-13 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2025-04-05 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-10-13 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-05 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-07-31 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-07-30 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-26 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-25 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-06-22 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-20 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-20 Watauga Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Patrick Coin, Mark Basinger on 2024-06-16 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-15 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-15 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-15 Scotland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-10 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Tracy Feldman, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Patrick Coin, Becky Watkins on 2024-06-08 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Tracy Feldman, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Patrick Coin, Becky Watkins on 2024-06-08 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-01 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik. on 2024-06-01 Chatham Co. Comment: