Moths of North Carolina
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3 NC Records

Anania tertialis (Guenée, 1854) - Crowned Phlyctaenia Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeP3 Number: 801427.00 MONA Number: 4953.00 MONA Synonym: Anania coronata
Comments: Anania coronata has traditionally been treated as a Holarctic species with two geographically separated subspecies that occur in North America and the Palaearctic Region. Yang et al. (2012) examined variation in MtDNA and genitalia and concluded that this species actually contained four well-differentiated cryptic species. As currently recognized, Anania coronata is restricted to Europe, whereas three additional species occur in North America: A. tertialis, A. plectilis and A. tennesseensis. All three species are very similar in external patterning and coloration and are best identified using either genitalia or mtDNA barcoding. Size differences may be of some use, with A. tennesseensis being substantially smaller on average than the other two. However, the extent to which these species overlap in size needs additional study.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Yang et al. (2012)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Allyson (1981)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The three members of the Anania coronata complex (A. plectilis; A. tertialis; A. tennesseensis) cannot be distinguished based on external morphology and patterning and require either genitalia or molecular markers (barcoding) for identification. They are all easily distinguished from other species by the pattern of contrasting pale areas on an infuscated ground. The following is a general description that applies to all based on descriptions by Munroe (1976) and Yang et al. (2012).

The ground color of the forewing is pale buff and is powdered or suffused with fuscous in most areas. Two strongly contrasting pale patches are present just before the postmedial line and in the subcostal area near the middle of the wing. Pale coloration also adjoins the outward edge of the postmedial line, which is fuscous and dentate in the median part of the line. The antemedial line is usually indistinct due to the heavy fuscous suffusion in the general area. Beyond the postmedial line there is a broad region of fuscous, dentate shading. The terminal line is fuscous and often broken between the veins, while the fringe is concolorous with the wing. The hindwing is generally similar to the forewing in terms of coloration and patterning.
Forewing Length: 9.80 ± 0.11 mm (N = 15; Yang et al., 2012).
Adult Structural Features: Yang et al. (2012) have descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are leaf webbers on a variety of shrubs and low plants, but especially on Sambucus species (Munroe, 1976). The fall and winter period of inactivity is spent in the final larval instar. The full grown larvae are 20-22 mm long. The body, prothoracic shield, and anal shield are all green, while the head is pale (Allyson, 1981).
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Anania tertialis has the largest range of the three members of the Anania coronata complex. It is found in southern Alaska, almost all of southern Canada (British Columbia to Nova Scotia), in the Pacific Northwest, and in much of the eastern U.S. As of 2023, our only confirmed records based on genitalia are from a single site in Ashe County in the Blue Ridge.
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 have been observed year-round in Florida, and mostly between May and September in other areas of the range. As of 2023, our records are from mid-June through mid-July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented in the eastern U.S. Our one site record as of 2023 is from area with extensive early successional habitat and adjoining hardwood forest.
Larval Host Plants: Beadle and Leckie (2018) list Alnus, Carya, Sambucus, and Viburnum. We are unaware of the sources of these records and they may be erroneous due to this species recently being discovered to be a member of a sibling species complex. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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Comments: We have a single site record as of 2023 that may in part reflect the need for genitalia or barcoding for identification. Additional information is needed on the distribution, abundance and habitat requirements before we can assess the consevation status of this species.