Depressariidae

Agonopterix walsinghamella Walsingham's Agonopterix Moth

10 9 8 n=0 7 High Mt. 6 N 5 u 4 3 m 2 b 1 e 0 r 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 NC counties: 1 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec o 10 f 9 n=0 = Sighting or Collection 8 • 7 Low Mt. High counts of: in NC since 2001 F 6 • l 5 1 - Brunswick - 2017-05-26 4 i 3 g 2 Status Rank h 1 0 NC US NC Global t 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 D Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec a 10 10 9 9 t 8 n=0 8 n=1 e 7 Pd 7 CP s 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Three periods to each month: 1-10 / 11-20 / 21-31 FAMILY: Depressariidae SUBFAMILY: Depressariinae TRIBE: TAXONOMIC_COMMENTS:

FIELD GUIDE DESCRIPTIONS: ONLINE PHOTOS: TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, ADULTS: Clarke (1941); Hodges (1974) TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, IMMATURE STAGES:

ID COMMENTS: The following is primarily based on the description in Clarke (1941) and Hodges (1974). The labial palp is cinereus and strongly suffused with reddish. The second and third segments are speckled with blackish scales exteriorly. The third segment has a blackish- fuscous annulus near the base and middle (the former poorly defined) and a blackish-fuscous apex. The antenna is fuscous and annulated with dull cinereus. The head is tawny-red and the face pale cinereus. The thorax is ashy gray except for the darker posterior tip, and often has reddish speckling. The thorax and base of the forewing produce a light diffuse band behind the head that terminates before the costa. The forewing is deep crimson-red to reddish brown and is typically sparsely speckled with black and ashy scales. Some individuals may have a heavy dusting of ashy scales on the apical half that are concentrated towards the costal region. The costa has a tawny-red edge on the basal half that is lighter than the remainder of the forewing. This phases into a series of poorly defined alternating fuscous and darker spots on the apical half. Three discal spots are usually evident. The anterior two (discal spots 'a' and 'b' of Forbes, 1923) that occur at about one-third are relatively small and oblique. These are typically black, but often have ashy or carmine colored scales adjoining them. A prominent white discal spot is present at the end of the cell (discal spot 'd' of Forbes. 1923). The cilia are reddish fuscous and edged with carmine. The hindwing is light fuscous and darker apically than basally, while the cilia are light fuscous with whitish irrorations and pale pink suffusions. The legs are pale cinereous and overlaid and speckled with fuscous and reddish scales, except at the joints. This is a distinctive species that is best distinguished by the deep crimson-red forewing, the lighter tawny-red costal edge on the basal half, the ashy basal band that does not reach the costa, and the prominent white discal spot at the end of the cell. This species is somewhat similar to A. lythrella in terms of wing coloration, but lacks the dark, curved streak on the cell (see comparisons above).

DISTRIBUTION: Agonopterix walsinghamella is a northern species that is widespread across much of south-central and south- eastern Canada. Populations in the US are mostly found in northeastern states southward to Maryland and Kentucky, and westward to Wisconsin and Minnesota. As of 2020, we have only a single specimen from Brunswick County.

FLIGHT COMMENT: The adults have been found from March through November, with seasonal peaks following the spring warm-up, and a second in late summer and early fall. As of 2020, our only state record is for 26 May.

HABITAT: This species uses both Sweet-fern and bayberries as hosts. Sweet-fern is found in xeric habitats such as dry roadbanks, dry ridgetops, and sandy slopes and bluffs. Our native bayberries are found in coastal wetlands and other relatively moist, sandy habitats. Typical habitats include pocosins and bays, wet pine flatwoods, and the edges of savanna.

FOOD: The larvae specialize on members of the family Myricaceae (Hodges, 1974; Robinson et al., 2010). The known hosts include Sweet- fern (Comptonia peregrina), Southern Bayberry (Morella caroliniensis), Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) and Sweet-gale ( Myrica gale).

OBSERVATION_METHODS: The adults are attracted to lights.

NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM RANKS: GNR SU

STATE PROTECTION:

COMMENTS: As of 2020, we currently have only a single specimen that was collected by J.B. Sullivan. March 2021 The Moths of North Carolina - Early Draft 1