Moths of North Carolina
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14 NC Records

Pyrausta tyralis (Guenée, 1854) - Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: PyraustiniP3 Number: 801550.00 MONA Number: 5069.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Allyson (1981)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a boldly marked and easily recognized species. The forewing is wine-red with two broad, yellow, transverse bands and a yellow cell spot. The antemedial line is represented as an oblong band and the postmedial as a sinuous band that narrows in the middle. The hindwing varies from red or orangish red and is slightly paler than the forewing. The subterminal region is slightly darker and there is a narrow, incomplete postmedial yellow line (Munroe, 1976). One form (variety erosnealis) has the bands reduced and suffused with red.
Forewing Length: 6-7 mm (Munroe, 1976).
Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1976) has descriptions of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are leafrollers that feed on broadleaf plants, but details of the larval life history are unreported. The final instars are 10-12 mm long. The body is pale with gray-brown stripes that include a narrow middorsal stripe and a pair of dorsal stripes that are wide and continuous. The rows of dorsal and subdorsal pinacula on the mesothorax, metathorax, and abdomen are prominent and dark brown to blackish, while the other pinacula are paler and pigmented only in outline (Allyson, 1981). The head is light amber with light brown mottling, while the prothoracic shield is similar to the body color, with brown dorsally and along the ventral margin.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Pyrausta tyralis has a large range that extends from southern New York to southern Florida, and westward to western Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, eastern Nebraska and Iowa. This species also occurs south through Mexico and the West Indies as far as Venezuela (Munroe, 1976). This species is uncommon in North Carolina, but has been found in all three physiographic provinces.
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 fly year-round in southern states such as Florida and Texas, and mostly from April through September farther north. As of 2023, our records extend from late-May through mid-September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations in North Carolina have been found in habitats that range from xeric to mesic. Most are in open or partly shaded sites, including wooded residential settings.
Larval Host Plants: The larval hosts are poorly documented, but include species from at least two plant families (Munroe, 1976; Allyson, 1981; Robinson et al., 2010; BugGuide). The reported host include Spanish Needles (Bidens alba), Bearded Beggarticks (B. aristosa), a Dahlia sp., and Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are active during the day and can be seen resting on vegetation or nectaring on low-growing wildflowers. They are less attracted to lights than many of our other moths, but do appear occasionally at lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2-S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species is uncommon throughout the state. We need additional information on its host plants, preferred habitats and abundance before we can accurately assess it conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Pyrausta tyralis - Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth

Photos: 12

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-08-23
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-09-11
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Robyn Culpepper on 2021-08-17
Perquimans Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Robyn Culpepper on 2021-08-17
Perquimans Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Robyn Culpepper on 2021-08-17
Perquimans Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2021-05-22
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2016-07-15
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Doug Blatny / Jackie Nelson on 2013-06-20
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2010-08-29
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2009-06-14
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2009-06-14
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA - Lawn of sound side residence		Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2007-06-10
Carteret Co.
Comment: