Moths

First Account of the Larval Biology of Coleotechnites nigra (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), with New Host and Distribution Records

lepidopteran — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 04:25:26 +0000

First Account of the Larval Biology of Coleotechnites nigra (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), with New Host and Distribution Records lepidopteran Fri, 09/12/2025 - 00:25

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. hypericoides, and H. prolificum L. in Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia. We redescribe the species based on this additional material and discuss its biology, illustrating the variation in adult coloration, as well as the male and female genitalia, larva, and leaf mines. Additional tentative distribution records are given based on DNA barcoding data and photographed leaf mines. Parasitoids of C. nigra include Chelonus (Microchelonus) sp. (Braconidae) and Haltichella sp. (Chalcididae). In addition to correcting the name of this species, we clarify the status of the homonym Recurvaria piceaella var. nigra Kearfott.

https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.127.1.9

/sites/default/files/publications/Eiseman%20et%20al.%202025%20Coleotechnites.pdf

Charles S. Eiseman, Tracy S. Feldman, Mark A. Metz

2025

Charles S. Eiseman, Tracy S. Feldman, and Mark A. Metz "First Account of the Larval Biology of Coleotechnites nigra (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), with New Host and Distribution Records," Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 127(1), 9-20, (16 July 2025). https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.127.1.9

Moths

New Records of Leafmining in Tortricidae (Lepidoptera)

lepidopteran — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 04:39:21 +0000

New Records of Leafmining in Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) lepidopteran Mon, 12/16/2024 - 23:39

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. Olethreutes osmundana (Fernald) was reared from larvae mining in Osmunda spectabilis Willd. (Osmundaceae) in North Carolina. For each species we summarize previous host, distribution, and phenological records. We also briefly describe the larvae and provide the first published photographs of them.

https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.126.2.161

/sites/default/files/publications/Eiseman%20%26%20Feldman%202024%20Tortricidae_0.pdf

Charles S. Eiseman, Tracy S. Feldman

2024

Charles S. Eiseman and Tracy S. Feldman "New Records of Leafmining in Tortricidae (Lepidoptera)," Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 126(2), 161-171, (9 October 2024). https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.126.2.161

Moths

A new species of Palpita (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) from the coastal plains of southeastern United States

lepidopteran — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 07:46:07 +0000

A new species of Palpita (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) from the coastal plains of southeastern United States lepidopteran Sun, 02/12/2023 - 02:46

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.

https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/3672/

J. Bolling Sullivan, M. Alma Solis

2013

Sullivan, J. B. and M. A. Solis 2013: A new species of Palpita (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) from the coastal plains of southeastern United States. ZooKeys 264: 3-9.

Moths

Intraspecific Body Size Variation in Macrolepidoptera as Related to Altitude of Capture Site and Seasonal Generation

lepidopteran — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 07:41:45 +0000

Intraspecific Body Size Variation in Macrolepidoptera as Related to Altitude of Capture Site and Seasonal Generation lepidopteran Sun, 02/12/2023 - 02:41

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. These relations held where investigated for both first and second annual generations and for both sexes even though second-generation individuals were smaller-bodied. Thus examples of Geometridae and Noctuidae are added to a list mainly of micromoths previously known to exhibit positive size–altitude relations. Some adaptive and nonadaptive body-size hypotheses are discussed as possible explanatory factors, but thus far no explanation is fully satisfactory. In contrast to measurement results in these six macromoths, other moths known to be widely dispersive appeared to display flat size–altitude relations, and published butterfly size–altitude data varied irregularly. Degree of dispersiveness is hypothesized as a condition to the manifestation of size–altitude phenomena in lepidopterans. Many more minimally dispersive moths will likely be found to increase in body size with increasing altitude.

https://images.peabody.yale.edu/lepsoc/jls/2000s/2007/2007(2)72-Sullivan.pdf

J. Bolling Sullivan, William E. Miller

2007

Sullivan, J. B. and W. E. Miller 2007. Intraspecific body size variation in macrolepidoptera as related to altitude of capture site and seasonal generation. J. Lep. Soc., 61-72-77.

Moths

A Survey of the Moths, Butterflies, and Grasshoppers of Four Nature Conservancy Preserves in Southeastern North Carolina

lepidopteran — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 07:24:25 +0000

A Survey of the Moths, Butterflies, and Grasshoppers of Four Nature Conservancy Preserves in Southeastern North Carolina lepidopteran Sun, 02/12/2023 - 02:24

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. An additional 14 species we consider distinctive of the pocosins that occur in close association with the savannas and flatwoods. Twenty nine species appear to be rare enough to be included on the list of elements monitored by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (eight others in this category have been reported from one of these sites, the Green Swamp, but were not observed in this study). Two of the moths collected, Spartiniphaga carterae and Agrotis buchholzi, are currently candidates for federal listing as Threatened or Endangered species. Another species, Hemipachnobia s. subporphyrea, appears to be endemic to North Carolina and should also be considered for federal candidate status.

/sites/default/files/publications/Insect%20Survey%20of%20Four%20Longleaf%20Pine%20Preserves%2C%20North%20Carolina_0.pdf

Stephen Hall, Dale Schweitzer

1993

Hall, S.P.; Schweitzer, D.F. 1993. A survey of the moths, butterflies, and grasshoppers of four Nature Conservancy preserves in Southeastern North Carolina. Report to the Nature Conservancy, Durham, NC. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh, NC. 174 p.

Inventory of Lepidoptera of the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsular Region of North Carolina

lepidopteran — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 07:15:20 +0000

Inventory of Lepidoptera of the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsular Region of North Carolina lepidopteran Sun, 02/12/2023 - 02:15

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. Information on distribution, abundance, and habitat specialization was used to determine the conservation status within the state for each species, i.e., whether they should be listed as Natural Heritage Program elements or placed on the NHP Watch List. Within the individual parks and preserves, this information was used to identify management concerns of particular relevance for maintaining populations of native lepidoptera.

/sites/default/files/publications/Albemarle-Pamlico%20Insect%20Survey%2C%20amended%202017.pdf

Stephen Hall

1999

Hall, S. (1999). Inventory of Lepidoptera of the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsular Region of North Carolina, Including Pettigrew, Goose Creek, and Jockey's Ridge State Parks and Nag's Head Woods Ecological Preserve. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.

Moths

Assessment of risk to non-target macro-moths after Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki application to Asian Gypsy Moth in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina

lepidopteran — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 04:01:49 +0000

Assessment of risk to non-target macro-moths after Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki application to Asian Gypsy Moth in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina lepidopteran Sat, 02/11/2023 - 23:01

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. This study provides information on the impacts of Btk and efforts to mitigate these impacts within several habitats characteristic of the southeastern United States, where vegetation structure and composition, the importance of disturbance regimes, and degree of habitat degradation and fragmentation are substantially different from areas previously studied.

/sites/default/files/publications/AGM%20Non-Target%20Impact%20Study%2C%20edited%20June%202017.pdf

Stephen P. Hall, James B. Sullivan, Dale F. Schweitzer

1999

Hall, S. P., Sullivan, J. B., & Schweitzer, D. F. (1999). Assessment of risk to non-target macro-moths after Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki application to Asian Gypsy Moth in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina. USDA, Forest Service.

Moths

A New Species of Morrisonia (Noctuidae) From Southeastern North America

lepidopteran — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 03:29:56 +0000

A New Species of Morrisonia (Noctuidae) From Southeastern North America lepidopteran Sat, 02/11/2023 - 22:29

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.

https://images.peabody.yale.edu/lepsoc/jls/2000s/2009/2009-63-1-021.pdf

J. Bolling Sullivan, James K. Adams

2009

Sullivan, J. Bolling and James K. Adams. “A New Species of Morrisonia (Noctuidae) From Southeastern North America.” Journal of The Lepidopterists Society 63 (2009): 21-26.

Moths

A new apameine genus and species from the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae)

lepidopteran — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 08:58:06 +0000

A new apameine genus and species from the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae) lepidopteran Thu, 02/09/2023 - 03:58

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.

https://archive.org/details/pubmed-PMC4109475/mode/2up

Eric Quinter, J. Bolling Sullivan

2014

Quinter EL, Sullivan JB (20 1 4) A new apameine genus and species from the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae). In: Schmidt BC, Lafontaine JD (Eds) Contributions to the systematics of New World macro-moths V. ZooKeys 421: 181-191. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.421.7727

Moths

A revision of the genus Doryodes Guenée, 1857, with descriptions of six new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Catocalinae, Euclidiini)

lepidopteran — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 08:55:35 +0000

A revision of the genus Doryodes Guenée, 1857, with descriptions of six new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Catocalinae, Euclidiini) lepidopteran Thu, 02/09/2023 - 03:55

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.

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7d8d/ac1f34c4ac632ca9b39a76ab727afe4d080a.pdf

J. Donald Lafontaine, J. Bolling Sullivan

2015

Lafontaine JD, Sullivan JB (2015) A revision of the genus Doryodes Guenée, 1857, with descriptions of six new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Catocalinae, Euclidiini). In: Schmidt BC, Lafontaine JD (Eds) Contributions to the systematics of New World macro-moths VI. ZooKeys 527: 3–30. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.527.6087

Moths