Moths of North Carolina
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Mimoschinia Members:
1 NC Records

Mimoschinia rufofascialis (Stephens, 1834) - Rufous-banded Crambid Moth

Taxonomy
Family: CrambidaeP3 Number: 801155.00 MONA Number: 4826.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Immature Stages: Leech (1949)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This wide-ranging species is geographically variable, with several subspecies recognized (Munroe, 1972). Specimens in the eastern US have a grayish buff to dull white ground color on the forewing that is overlain with several reddish-brown marks. These include an outwardly oblique AM band that extends from the sub-basal region of the costa to near the middle of the inner margin, a triangular patch on the middle of the costa, a broad, slightly irregular PM band at around four-fifths the wing length, and a small apical patch. The hindwing varies from brownish-gray to brown and has a white fringe.
Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1972) has a description of the genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Leech (1949) observed larvae feeding on hollyhocks in British Columbia where they fed within the developing flower buds and seed capsules. Small larvae fed chiefly near the base of the flower parts of developing flower buds and often caused the buds to die. They often deserted these and crawled under the bracts of buds that were about to open. They then bored inwards and mostly fed on the lower flower parts as observed before. The oldest larvae commonly deserted these and moved to the seed heads that had not opened. After entering these they tunneled through and consumed most of the green seeds. The messy brown frass was pushed out of the entrance hole.

The flower heads and fruits typically contained a single larva that was white with a series of bold wine-red bands along the entire length of the body. Leech (1949) noted that two fully grown larvae emerged from seed heads that were kept in a jar and burrowed into damp soil that was provided. Pupation occurred within a thin silken cocoon in the soil, and two adults emerged after eight days. Heinrich (1921) found larvae in southern Texas feeding within the seed pods of several genera of malvaceous plants. The larvae pupated in a thin cocoon either within the seed pods or on the outer sides of the leaves.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Mimoschinia rufofascialis is broadly distributed, with a North American range that is centered on the western US, the central US, and the Midwest. It is also found in Canada, including in Ontario and from Saskatchewan westward to British Columbia. The range in the eastern US extends from central New York, Pennsylvania, and western Maryland westward through the Great Lakes region to Minnesota and South Dakota, then southward to Oklahoma and Texas. Stephen Dunn documented a specimen from Orange Co. in 2023 that is the first record for North Carolina. The site is substantially south of the nearest known population in northeastern Kentucky.
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 in the eastern US mostly fly from May through October, although individuals have been observed in Texas year-round. Our one record as of 2023 is for mid-June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Many of the hosts that are used by this species are found in disturbed habitats such as agricultural fields, roadsides, and waste areas in urban settings. Our one record as of 2023 is from a residential home and garden in Orange County.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on the seeds of several genera in the Malvaceae, including Abutilon, Alcea, Malvastrum, Malvella, Sida and Wissadula (Powell and Opler, 2009). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are often seen nectaring on flowers during the day or resting in the open. Thry are also attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S1S2]
State Protection:
Comments: As of 2023, we have a single record from Orange County that appears to be a major disjunct population.

 Photo Gallery for Mimoschinia rufofascialis - Rufous-banded Crambid Moth

Photos: 3

Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-06-20
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-06-20
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-06-20
Orange Co.
Comment: