Moths of North Carolina
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13 NC Records

Eucopina cocana Kearfott, 1907 - Shortleaf Pinecone Borer Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Tortricoidea Family: TortricidaeSubfamily: OlethreutinaeTribe: EucosminiP3 Number: 621059.00 MONA Number: 3072.00 MONA Synonym: Eucosma cocana
Comments: Eucopina is a genus of tortricid moths with 12 North American species that were previously placed in the genus Eucosma (Gilligan and Wright, 2013). Members of this genus feed on conifers (Pinaceae), and the majority feed on the maturing cones of pines.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The head is predominately light orangish white to dull white, while the external surfaces of the palps are a contrasting darker orangish-brown or orangish-red. The forewing has complex patterning, but typically consists of a mosaic of relatively dark orangish-brown to orangish-red blotches that are interspersed with light orange or orangish-white blotches. Most of the darker blotches are defined by a thin margin of off-white scales, and many specimens have broader areas of silvery-gray scales between the larger blotches. The thorax has similar patterning, but with smaller blotches, and there is a pair of scale tufts on the posterior end. A series of small orangish-red spots with alternating lighter areas extends along the costa from about mid-wing posterior across the outer margin. The cilia on the forewing vary from gray to orangish-brown and are cut with white at the end of each vein. The hindwing is smoky brown and the cilia are paler.
Wingspan: 19 mm for the type specimen (Kerfott, 1907).
Forewing Length: 8.5-11 mm (Gilligan et al. (2008)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: This species most commonly feeds on the cones of Shortleaf Pine. Ebel et al. (1980) reported that the adults emerge from overwintering pupae in the soil and lay small groups of eggs under the scales of cone stalks in the spring (April-May). The young larvae initially feed in groups in immature cones, then disperse to new cones where they tend to become more solitary feeders. As they evacuate the cones they leave small exit holes that pepper the cone. The dispersing larvae typically colonize new cones that are close by. Cones with solitary feeders have oval entry-exit holes that are around 2 x 3 mm near the cone base, together with small holes scattered along the cone surface where the larva breaks through the surface periodically while feeding. The cone interior is riddled and packed with frass and chewings, and the chewings and frass are sometimes present on the surface of the cones. When mature (June-July) the larvae drop from the cones and pupate in the soil until the following spring. The larvae are light pink-purple with brown heads.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The range is centered on the southeastern US, but specimens have been observed as far north as Massachusetts. From there, the range extends southward to central Florida and westward to Mississippi, western Tennessee, and southern Indiana. As of 2022, most of our records are from the Piedmont, with only one from the Coastal Plain.
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: Local populations are univoltine, with the adults flying from February-June. Southern populations in Florida are active from February-May, while April and May are the peak months in most areas of the range. As of 2022, all of our records are from April and May.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Eucopina cocana is typically associated with forests that support Shortleaf Pine. This species primarily occurs in upland areas with moderately dry soils and often becomes established in early successional habitats.
Larval Host Plants: As the name implies, the Shortleaf Pinecone Borer Moth mostly feeds on Shortleaf Pine cones, but will occasionally feed on Loblolly Pine (P. taeda) and perhaps other pine species (Ebel et al., 1980) . - View
Observation Methods: The adults appear to infrequently visit lights. More information is needed on host use in North Carolina and observations of infected pine cones are needed.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: We currently do not have sufficient information on the distribution and abundance of this species in North Carolina to accurately assess its conservation status. Shortleaf Pine is in decline in many areas of its range, which suggests that this species may also be in decline.

 Photo Gallery for Eucopina cocana - Shortleaf Pinecone Borer Moth

Photos: 15

Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2023-05-11
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2023-05-07
Davidson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2023-04-21
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-05-02
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-05-02
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-05-07
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-04-29
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-04-29
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-05-14
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-05-14
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger on 2017-04-12
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger on 2017-04-12
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2016-04-12
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2015-05-12
Cabarrus Co.
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Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2013-05-08
Cabarrus Co.
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