Observation date: June 16, 2016
Submitted by: Jon Rapp
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: New one for Missouri. Originally described as being a SE coastal species, though there are records from Indiana and Tennessee. As well, there are a number of its host plant now in our area, the Bald Cypress. There aren't a lot of available images and records, and none that I could find for Missouri. I checked my ID with Ken Childs as well as Brian Scholtens (referee on Pyralidae pages on MPG) who are both familiar with this species, and they both confirm this ID. Measured 12mm TL.
Status: Unknown
Verified by: Phillip E. Koenig
Verified date: June 30, 2016
Coordinator notes: There are no records of this species from Missouri. According to BugGuide, “larvae feed on the cones of bald cypress, (Taxidium [sic][distichum] aistichum). Other hosts include; Pond cypress, (Taxodium ascendens) Brongn and Eastern red cedar, (Juniperus virginiana L.)”. There are some bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) trees here, mostly in the southeastern part of the state and Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is plentiful. Specimens of this moth are needed. My thanks go to Ken Childs and Brian Scholtens for their identification of this photo.
