Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Crambidae Members:	Crocidophora Members:	77 NC Records

Crocidophora tuberculalis Lederer, 1863 - Pale-winged Crocidophora

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Crambidae

Subfamily:
Pyraustinae

Tribe:
Pyraustini

P3 Number:
80a0708

MONA Number:
4945.00

Other Common Names:
Crease-winged Pearl Moth, Pale-winged Crocidiphora

Comments: The genus Crocidophora contains seven described species from North America and India. There are three recognized species in North America and all occur in North Carolina.

Identification

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

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

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923); Munroe (1976)

Adult Markings: The following description is based on that of Forbes (1923). The forewing is a light straw yellow and somewhat translucent, and there is a lack of dark shading on the veins. The markings are dark brown and include an antemedial line that is slightly wavy, and a postmedial line that is sinuous on the inner half and evenly convex on the costal half. The subterminal region is broadly shaded with dark brown and has a narrow gap between it and a very thin, faint, terminal line (often obscure). The hindwing has an evenly excurved postmedial line and a broad subterminal shade that is similar to that of the forewing. The fringe of both wings is more or less concolorous with the ground color.

Adult Structural Features: The forewing of the male has a large fovea in and behind the cell.

Structural photos

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

Immatures and Development: There currently is no information on the larval ecology and life history.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Crocidophora tuberculalis is broadly distributed across the eastern U.S. and in adjoining areas of southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec). In the U.S., the range extends from Maine to central Florida, and westward to eastern Texas, Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, eastern Nebraska and Wisconsin. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina.

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: The adults have been observed from March through September in different region of the U.S. As of 2023, our records range from late-March through early September.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: We have records from riparian areas, lake and pond shores, and upland habitats. We do not have any records from clearly dry or xeric habitats.

Larval Host Plants: The host plants are unreported (Munroe, 1976). This species may feed on grasses like our other two species of Crocidophora, but this remains to be determined. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.

Wikipedia

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: This species can be locally common in the vicinity of wetlands.

Photo Gallery for Crocidophora tuberculalis - Pale-winged Crocidophora

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-04 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-04 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-04 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, David Bradley, Becky Watkins, David Cheng, Michelle Lotker, Tracy Feldman, et al. on 2025-06-28 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-01 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-19 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-08 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-04 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-07-03 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-29 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-26 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-06 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-25 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-22 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-09 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Hall, David George, and David Bradley on 2024-05-07 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-18 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2023-07-28 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2023-07-26 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-25 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-24 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-19 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-16 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-12 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-09 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-08 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-06-27 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-03 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-06-02 Madison Co. Comment: