Moths

Abstract: Coleotechnites nigra (Busck), revised status (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the correct name for the species formerly known as C. nigritus Hodges. Until now, nothing has been published about this species beyond the fact that the holotype was accidentally reared from Hypericum (Hypericaceae) in the vicinity of Washington, DC, with unknown larval habits. This species has since been reared from leaf-mining larvae on H. cruxandreae (L.) Crantz, H.

Abstract: Leafmining in early instars is newly reported for three species of tortricid moths in the eastern USA. Argyrotaenia amatana (Dyar) was reared from leaf-tying larvae found in association with recently vacated mines on Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc. (Rubiaceae) in Florida. Aterpia approximana (Heinrich) was reared from a larva mining in Samolus parviflorus Raf. (Primulaceae) in North Carolina, a new host and distribution record, and larvae were found in New England in similar mines on Lysimachia ciliata L., a known host for this moth.

A new species of Palpita Hübner (Crambidae, Spilomelinae), Palpita maritima, sp. n., is described from maritime forests of the coastal plains of southeastern United States.

As a proxy for body size, forewing lengths of individual geometrids and noctuids were measured with respect to altitude of capture site in five species in North Carolina and one in Costa Rica. Number of specimens ranged 48–373 per species, number of capture sites 2–15 per species, and site altitudes ranged 2–2209 m. Forewing length in all six species increased significantly with increasing altitude at rates of ≈ 0.3–≈ 1.1 mm/500 m.

Moths, butterflies, and grasshoppers were surveyed within four longleaf pine preserves owned by the North Carolina Nature Conservancy during the growing season of 1991 and 1992. Over 7,000 specimens (either collected or seen in the field) were identified, representing 512 different species and 28 families. Forty-one of these we consider to be distinctive of the two fire-maintained communities principally under investigation, the longleaf pine savannas and flatwoods.

Moths and butterflies were sampled at monthly intervals over a one year-period at four sites within the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsular region: Pettigrew State Park, Goose Creek State Park, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, and Nag’s Head Woods Ecological Preserve. Goals were to characterize the lepidopteran fauna for the region as well as for the individual preserves.

Ecological impacts of the use of the microbial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) to control the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.)) and other forest pests have been documented for deciduous forest habitats in the northeastern United States  and mixed forest habitats in the Pacific Northwest.

ABSTRACT: We describe Morrisonia triangula, (Noctuidae: Hadeninae: Orthosini) from material collected from Virginia to Texas. Illustrations of adults and their genitalia are provided. The generic placement is discussed.

Cherokeea gen. n. is proposed for a rarely collected apameine moth species from the southern Appalachian Mountains, C. attakullakulla sp. n. It is recorded from foothills and lower montane habitats of North Carolina and Georgia where hill cane, Arundinaria appalachiana Triplett, Weakley & L.G. Clark is found. Adults and their genitalia are figured and a mtDNA barcode sequence is given.

The genus Doryodes Guenée is revised to include ten species including six species described as new (D. desoto Lafontaine & Sullivan; D. okaloosa Sullivan & Lafontaine; D. fusselli Sullivan & Lafontaine; D. reineckei Sullivan & Lafontaine; D. broui Lafontaine & Sullivan; and D. latistriga Sullivan & Lafontaine). A key to species, descriptions, and illustrations of adults and genitalia are included.