Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFPyralidae Members:
Pococera Members:
27 NC Records

Pococera melanogrammos (Zeller, 1872) - Black-letter Pococera

Pococera melanogrammos
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Pyraloidea		 Family:
Pyralidae		Subfamily:
Epipaschiinae		Tribe:
[Epipaschiini]		P3 Number:
80a0642		 MONA Number:
5597.00
Comments: The genus Pococera contains a taxonomically challenging group of species with many forms that are difficult to distinguish based on external morphology, coloration, and patterning. Rearing and knowledge of the host species can be helpful in a few instances, and some species can be identified based on external characteristics. However, we find many specimens from North Carolina that are challenging to assign to species with high confidence. The genitalia of species that have been examined from North Carolina are virtually identical and offer little help in sorting out species. DNA barcoding also offers little help since many of the established names show up in multiple BINs that likely reflect large numbers of misidentified specimens. Unfortunately, no one has any idea which of these specimens are accurately identified. A comprehensive study of North American members of the genus is clearly needed that will hopefully better delineate species boundaries and resolve some of the problems that hamper the accurate identification of specimens from within the state and elsewhere. At present, our assignment of specimens to certain species is best treated as provisional.
Species Status: "There is still much confusion about the application of these names [melanogrammos and subcanalis]. I recognize each as a particular species but I haven't the actual types to confirm what name goes with what" (Scholtens, 2017)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Pococera melanogrammos
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: Forbes (1923) states that woody species of Legumes are used, including Honeylocust. Robinson et al. (2010) list Leguminosae but also include pines, particularly Loblolly. A North Carolina record submitted by T. Feldman to BugGuide is based on larvae reared to adulthood on Sweetgum (BugGuide, accessed 2020-10-30). - View
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SU
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Pococera melanogrammos - Black-letter Pococera

Photos: 3

Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-24
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2021-06-13
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2020-08-12
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: