Moths of North Carolina
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5 NC Records

Duponchelia fovealis Zeller, 1847 - European Pepper Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: SpilomelinaeP3 Number: 801288.00 MONA Number: 5156.50
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species the forewing ground color varies from grayish-brown to brown, while the antemedial and postmedial lines range from dull white to yellowish-white. The antemedial is relatively straight, while the postmedial has a conspicuous outward loop or ‘finger’ about one-third in from the inner margin (Stocks and Hodges, 2011; Hayden et al., 2013). The area beyond the postmedial line is a shade darker than the overall ground color, and the termen has a line of dark dots along its margin. The abdomen of the male is noticeably elongated, and is ringed with alternating brown with dull whitish bands. The males typically rest with the abdomen strongly curled upwards.
Wingspan: 19-21 mm (Stocks and Hodges, 2011).
Forewing Length: 6.8 - 9.0 mm (Hayden et al., 2013).
Adult Structural Features: Hayden et al. (2013) have descriptions and illustrations on the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Females typically lays their eggs either singly or in small masses of 3-10 eggs on the undersides of leaves, but will occasionally lay on plant stems, pots, and the soil surface. The larvae construct shelters by spinning webs on the soil surface under the host plants. However, they feed mostly on above-ground plant parts, including leaves, succulent stems and fruits. In greenhouses, the eggs typically hatch in 4-9 days. The larval stage can last from 3-4 weeks to as long as 7-8 weeks (Stocks and Hodges, 2011; Hayden et al., 2013). Pupation occurs on the soil surface in a silk cocoon that is covered with soil and organic debris, with the pupal stage lasting from 1-2 weeks. Stocks and Hodges (2011) noted that the adults mate within 24 hours of emergence, and that a female can lay up to 200 eggs. In greenhouse settings there can be as many as 8-9 generations per year. The late-instar larvae are 17-30 mm long and have a dark head and prothoracic shield. The body color varies from creamy white to light brown depending on the larval stage and recent feeding history. The pinacula are brown and distinct.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Duponchelia fovealis is an invasive species that is native to areas around the Mediterranean Sea. It is a pest in greenhouse operations and croplands, and has expanded its range via introductions to other parts of Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America. It was first discovered in the U.S. around 2005 and is now widespread in California, the Pacific Northwest and throughout most of the eastern U.S. from the New England states to Florida, and westward to central Texas, eastern Kansas and Minnesota. The current range also includes portions of southern Canada (British Columbia; Ontario), Mexico, and the West Indies. This species does not tolerate freezing winter temperatures and is mostly restricted to greenhouses at northern latitudes. As of 2023, all of our records are from the Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont.
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 can be present year-round in greenhouse operations and are most common in late summer and early autumn in croplands and fallow fields. As of 2023, our few scattered records are from June and September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The European Pepper Moth is a native to freshwater and saltwater marshlands of southern Europe, but is commonly found in greenhouse operations (Stocks and Hodges, 2011). It also occurs in croplands, residential neighborhoods, and other disturbed habitats where it often uses non-aquatic species as hosts. As of 2023, all of our records are from residential neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: This species is highly polyphagous (Stocks and Hodges, 2011), but also feeds on detritus such as moist rotting leaves (Hayden et al., 2013). The larvae commonly attack a variety of cut flowers, ornamentals, vegetables and aquatic plants that are grown commercially in fields or greenhouses. Examples include corn, beets, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, squash, strawberries, lettuce, begonias, poinsettias, chrysanthemums, cyclamens, pitcher plants and many others. The authors listed 35 other genera that are exploited by the larvae. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae are common pests in greenhouse operations.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments: This is an introduced species that does not merit protection.

 Photo Gallery for Duponchelia fovealis - European Pepper Moth

Photos: 3

Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-09-24
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-09-06
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2019-06-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: