Moths of North Carolina

sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
50 most recent updates			Return Max of 200
Euhyponomeutoides gracilariella MONA_number: 2426.00	Euhyponomeutoides is a small genus of moths that includes both North American and Eurasian species. Only one species is known from North America.	This species is larger than most of our micromoths with forewings that vary from 7-9.5 mm. The following description is based in part on those by Busck (1904) and Powell and Opler (2009). The overall ...	Local populations are dependent on Ribes as hosts and are generally restricted to northern or high-elevation sites with the host plants. ...	Our one record as of 2022 is from a high-elevation site at Mt. Mitchell where larvae were feeding on an undetermined Ribes species. ...	The adults do not appear to be attracted to lights and most records are based of rearing adults from larvae on gooseberries. ...		GNR S1	This is an apparently rare species in North Carolina that as of 2022 is only known from one very high-elevation site at Mount Mitchell. As with the two species of Entephria, it appears to be an extrem...
Grammia parthenice Parthenice Tiger Moth MONA_number: 8196.00	One of 36 species in this genus that occur in North America (Schmidt, 2009), nine of which have been recorded in North Carolina. The form occurring in North Carolina has long been considered to represent subspecies intermedia, which is much larger than the nominate subspecies occurring in the northern plains and boreal areas. However, Schmidt (2009) stated that more work would be needed to see if Southeastern populations are actually the same as those from Texas, where intermedia was originally described.	A boldly marked Tiger Moth, second in size only to G. virgo among our species. Easily recognizable from a good quality photograph where both the hindwings and forewings are in view. The hindwings are...	Schmidt (2009) states that parthenice is one of the most widespread species in this genus and occupies a wide range of habitats, from "rich deciduous forests to the grasslands of the Great Plains, pre...	Members of this genus are highly polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of herbaceous plants, with Dicots possibly preferred (Schmidt, 2009)...	Comes fairly well to blacklights, but usually in small numbers. The mouthparts are non-functional (Singer, 2000, cited in Schmidt, 2009), so it does not come to bait....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 [S5]	Occurs across most of the state and occupies a wide range of habitats; appears to be fairly secure...
Papaipema cerussata Ironweed Borer MONA_number: 9505.00	One of 44 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), 30 of which have been recorded in North Carolina	...	Our records come mainly from wet fields and riparian habitats in the Mountains and from open seepage areas and lake shorelines in the Piedmont. A couple of records come from mesic upland in the Mounta...	Larvae feed on New York Ironweed (Wagner et al., 2011)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S4S5	...
Condica sutor Cobbler Moth MONA_number: 9699.00		The ground color is dull fuscous with a reddish tint (Forbes, 1954); in our specimens, a sprinkling of white scales is present at least in fresh specimens. The markings are all dull and non-contrastin...	...	Larvae feed on several species of Composites, including Parthenium, Ragweed, and Sunflowers (Wagner et al., 2011)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S5	...
Acronicta spinigera Nondescript Dagger MONA_number: 9235.00	One of 74 species in this genus found in North America north of Mexico (Schmidt and Anweiler, 2020), 42 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. This species is placed in subgenus Agriopodes by Schmidt and Anweiler, and in the Hasta Species Group. Other members of this group in North Carolina include Acronicta hamamelis, A. lithospila, A. innotata, A. betulae, A. radcliffei, A. hasta, A. interrupta, A. laetifica, A. superans, A. morula, and A. lobeliae.	The ground color is powdery light gray with only a small amount of brown in the subterminal area (Forbes, 1954). A fine black basal dash is present that extends out to the antemedian where it has fork...	Our records come mainly from cove forests and high elevation forests in the mountains...	Larvae have apparently not been observed in the wild (Schmidt and Anweiler, 2020), but captive-reared larvae appear to prefer basswood, with elm and apple also accepted (Wagner et al., 2011). Covell (...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 S3S4	...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Acronicta clarescens Clear Dagger MONA_number: 9246.00	One of 74 species in this genus found in North America north of Mexico (Schmidt and Anweiler, 2020), 42 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Acronicta clarescens is a member of Species Group II of Forbes (1954), which includes 17 additional species in North Carolina.	Normally easily identified by a tuft of yellowish, stiff scales at the anterior of the thorax located just behind the collar; this tuft can be missing in some specimens, however (Forbes, 1954). The gr...	Our records come from a wide variety of habitats, but mostly from low-lying areas near water...	Larvae are oligophagous, feeding on many woody species of the Rosaceae. Wagner et al. (2011) list Apple, Cherry, Chokecherry, Cotoneaster, Hawthorn, Mountain Ash, and Plum....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S4	...
Dryadaula visaliella MONA_number: 307.00		...	...		...			...
Argyrogramma verruca Golden Looper MONA_number: 8885.00	The sole member of its genus that occurs in the New World; the two other species are found in the Old World (Lafontaine and Poole, 1991).	A medium-sized Looper with predominantly metallic copper, gold, or yellowish forewings. The median area below the stigma to the inner margin is usually heavily golden, as is the subterminal area. Othe...	Our records come primarily from open habitats, including both natural and disturbed...	Larvae feed on many species of herbaceous plants, including arrowhead, dock, and tobacco (Wagner et al., 2011)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S4S5	...
Papaipema lysimachiae Loosestrife Borer MONA_number: 9479.00	One of 44 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), 30 of which have been recorded in North Carolina	...	All of our records are from the Mountains, including cove forests and high elevation habitats. ...	Larvae are stenophagous on Loosestrifes, with Lysimachia quadrifolia and L. terrestris specifically listed (Wagner et al., 2011). Both of those species are widespread in North Carolina. ...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4G5 SU	...
Lacinipolia meditata Thinker Moth MONA_number: 10368.00		The ground color is dark brown to reddish brown, variably shaded with gray and with a partial coverage with white scale tips producing a violet effect, particularly towards the outer margin (Forbes, 1...	...	...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S3S4	...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Sparganothis caryae MONA_number: 3700.00		In this species the head, palps, and thorax are reddish-brown, and the ground color of the forewing is pale yellow and evenly reticulated throughout with circles of pale reddish brown (Powell and Brow...	The preferred habitats are poorly documented, but appear to vary from xeric Coastal Plain communities to more mesic hardwood forests. As of 2023, our one site record was from a residential neighborhoo...	The host plants are largely unknown even though hickories have been presumed to be the host based on the specific epithet (Powell and Brown, 2012). The only known host record is "scrub oak" (presumabl...	The adults are attracted to lights. ...		GNR SU	This species appears to be rare in North Carolina, but additional information is needed on host use, distribution, and abundance before we can assess its conservation status. ...
Catocala cerogama Yellow-banded Underwing MONA_number: 8802.00	One of 103 species in this genus that occur in North America (Gall and Hawks, 2010; Kons and Borth, 2015a,b), 67 of which have been recorded in North Carolina.	...	Most of our records come from high elevation hardwoods or cove forests...	Monophagous on Basswood (Wagner et al., 2011)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S3S4	...
Epiblema gibsoni MONA_number: 3207.20		...	...		...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.		...
Coptotriche agrimoniella MONA_number: 148.00		...	...		...			...
Homochlodes unidentified species MONA_number: 6813.01		...	...		...			...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Caenurgina erechtea Forage Looper MONA_number: 8739.00		...	Our records come from open, herbaceous habitats as well as forested and woodlands, probably mainly along edges or openings...	Larvae feed on grasses, legumes, and Ragweed (Robinson et al., 2010; Wagner et al., 2011). ...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S5	...
Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing MONA_number: 11003.10		...	...	...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.		...
Catocala agrippina Agrippina Underwing Moth MONA_number: 8787.00		...	Our records all come from natural habitats far from any planted Pecans but consistent with the proximity of either Bitternut or Water Hickory...	Larvae feed on Pecan, Water Hickory, and possibly other Apocarya hickories (e.g., Bitternut) (Wagner et al., 2011)...	...		G5 S2S4	...
Meropleon titan MONA_number: 9426.00		The forewing is cinereous, shaded with rufous and fuscous scaling in the basal, medial and subterminal areas (Todd, 1958). A basal black dash is present, extending out to the antemedian line and follo...	Our records come from the vicinity of wetlands...	Larval host plants appear to be unknown but are likely to be grasses or sedges, as in other members of this genus...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G3 S2S3	...
Apodrepanulatrix liberaria Barrens Carpet MONA_number: 6693.00		...	Our one record comes from a yard in a rural area in the Asheville Basin where New Jersey Tea was growing in the immediate vicinity along a forest edge. This is one of the driest areas in the state an...	Larvae appear to be monophagous on New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americana) (Wagner et al., 2001)...	...		G3 S1S2	We have only a single record for this globally rare and declining species. As with other species associated with New Jersey Tea, this species appears to be under severe threat due to overgrazing by Wh...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Tolype laricis Larch Tolype Moth MONA_number: 7673.00		Males can be distinguished from those of T. notialis by their smaller size and black color on the wings. Females are gray and cannot be distinguished from notialis based on maculation alone....	...	...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.		...
Papaipema sp. 1 MONA_number: 9509.91		...	...		...			...
Erinnyis obscura Obscure Sphinx MONA_number: 7837.00		...	...		...			...
Parectopa pennsylvaniella MONA_number: 655.00		...	...	Larvae have been recorded on Asters (Robinson et al., 2010)...	...		GNR S1S3	...
Hadena ectypa Campion Coronet MONA_number: 10316.00	One of fifteen species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010), only two of which have been recorded in North Carolina.	A medium-sized Noctuine. Forewings are dark, purplish brown with a large blackish claviform spot and dark shading between the reniform and postmedian and at the anal angle before the subterminal. The ...	Habitats at the two sites where Hadena ectypa has been collected in North Carolina are unclear but appear to be Montane Alluvial Forest (now converted to development) in one case, and old field habita...	Stenophagous, feeding on species of Silene, including the native Starry Campion (Silene stellata) and Fire Pink (Silene virginica) (Kephart et al., 2005) as well as the introduced Bladder Campion (Sil...	Comes at least somewhat to blacklights but may be undersampled by this method (Schweitzer et al., 2011); sampling for larvae indicates that it may be more common, at least in some areas, than indicate...	Listed as Significantly Rare by the Natural Heritage Program. That designation, however, does not confer any legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G3G4 S1S2	Ectypa has long been considered uncommon to rare (Forbes, 1954; Schweitzer et al., 2011), perhaps most especially in the extreme southern extension of its range into the mountains of North Carolina an...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Hulda impudens MONA_number: 2747.00		...	...		...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.		...
Dyspyralis puncticosta Spot-edged Dyspyralis Moth MONA_number: 8427.00		...	Our records come from hardwoods forests, including bottomlands, mesic slopes, and dry ridges...	Host plants appear to be undescribed...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S3S4	...
Papaipema inquaesita Sensitive Fern Borer MONA_number: 9483.00	One of 44 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), 30 of which have been recorded in North Carolina	...	Our records come mainly from wet habitats, including mountain bogs, wet meadows, and riparian habitats. One record comes from a ridge top adjoining an extensive mesic forest, but with a stream valley ...	Larvae are borers in Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) (Wagner et al.,2011)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S3S4	...
Agonopterix thelmae Thelma's Agonopterix Moth MONA_number: 884.00	Agonopterix is a large holarctic genus with more than 125 species, with most occurring in the Palearctic Region. Currently, there are 47 recognized species in North America. Our species are largely confined to the western mountains.	The following is based primarily on descriptions in Clarke (1941) and Hodges (1974). The labial palp is whitish ochreous, with the second segment irrorated exteriorly with reddish fuscous. The third s...	The hosts and specific habitat requirements are unknown. Many of our records are from wooded, residential neighborhoods. ...	The hosts are unknown. Hodges (1974) surmised that this species may use legumes since it is closely related to A. robiniella. ...	The adults are attracted to lights....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR SU	As of 2020 we have 15 site records for the western mountains which suggests that this species is somewhat secure. Additional information is needed on its distribution and abundance before we can accu...
Lambdina fiscellaria Hemlock Looper MONA_number: 6888.00	One of nine members of this genus that occur in North America, four of which have been recorded in North Carolina.	A medium-sized Geometrid. Variable in color, with both yellowish and gray forms similar to L. fervidaria and pellucidaria, with similar dusting with darker gray. Possesses a more angular outer margin...	All but one of our records come from mesic forests in the Mountains, including riparian and cove forests at lower elevations and northern hardwoods and spruce-fir forests at high elevations. Our one ...	Polyphagous, feeding primarily on Fir, Hemlock, Spruce, Pine and other conifers but also on hardwood trees and shrubs, at least during outbreaks (Wagner et al., 2001; Maier et al., 2011)....	Appears to come well to 15 watt UV lights but not recorded at flowers or bait....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 [S4?]	This species is regarded as a pest of Hemlock forests in Canada and is subject to suppression efforts using Bacillus thurengiensis and other biological controls (Hebert and Brodeur, 2013). We have on...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Xanthorhoe labradorensis-packardata complex MONA_number: 7369.01	Xanthorhoe labradorensis and X. packardata cannot be distinguished based on external traits and require examination of the male genitalia. This page was established for photographic submissions that cannot be identified to species.	...	...	...	...			...
Papaipema unimoda Meadow Rue Borer MONA_number: 9509.00	One of 44 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), 30 of which have been recorded in North Carolina	...	Our records come from open, upland habitats in the Mountains...	Larvae feed on Meadow-rue (Wagner et al., 2011)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S2S3	...
Catocala sappho Sappho Underwing MONA_number: 8786.00	One of 103 species in this genus that occur in North America (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), 67 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Included by Barnes and McDunnough (1918) in their Group V (also adopted by Forbes, 1954). This groups comprises 10 species, all of which feed on Hickories or Walnuts (Juglandaciae). In addition to sappho, other members of this group that occur in North Carolina include habilis, serena, robinsonii, judith, flebilis, angusi, obscura, and residua.	A large, pale gray Underwing with a strongly contrasting reddish brown reniform and dark blotches at the costal ends of the antemedian and postmedian lines. Hindwings are dark with a white fringe (For...	Our records all come from stands of hardwoods, ranging from fairly mesic slopes and riparian habitats to dry ridgetops....	Stenophagous, feeding on hickories. Wagner et al. (2011) specifically mention Pignut and other section Carya hickories but Forbes (1954) and Sargent (1976) state Pecan -- a section Apocarya species --...	Comes to light to some extent but like other Underwings may come better to bait. Several of our records come from daytime observations when individuals were flushed from trunks; tapping is, thus, like...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 S2S3	Sargent (1976) described sappho as generally considered very rare, although locally common and regularly observed at some sites in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Wagner et al. (2011) likewise describe t...
Hypena scabra Green Cloverworm Moth MONA_number: 8465.00	One of 29 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010). Fifteen species have been recorded in North Carolina.	...	This is one of our most ubiquitous and omnipresent species. Habitats range from maritime dunes and forests on the barrier islands to high elevation stands of northern hardwoods....	Polyphagous. Larvae show a preference for members of the pea family but also feed on a wide range of other forbs, shrubs, and trees (Wagner et al., 2011)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S5	...
Exelis pyrolaria Fine-lined Gray Moth MONA_number: 6478.00		...	...	Larvae almost always found on Persimmon (J.B. Sullivan, pers. obs.)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 S4	...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Acronicta rubricoma Ruddy Dagger MONA_number: 9199.00	One of 74 species in this genus found in North America north of Mexico (Schmidt and Anweiler, 2020), 42 of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Acronicta rubricoma belongs to Forbes's Group I, which in North Carolina also includes A. americana, A. hastulifera, A. dactylina, and A. lepusculina.	A medium-large Dagger with pale gray to darker brownish-gray forewings. The antemedian and postmedian are double, with a white filling. The antemedian is strongly looped, with particularly long loops ...	Piedmont records come primarily from rich bottomland forests. Mountain records, however, come mainly from upland forests....	Larvae feed on Celtis species (Sugarberry and Hackberries) and also on Elm (Wagner et al., 2011)....	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G4 S3S4	...
Paectes abrostoloides Large Paectes Moth MONA_number: 8962.00		The ground color is ash gray, with darker shading over the antemedian and following the postmedian (Forbes, 1954). The antemedian and postmedian are black and doubled. The antemedian has three deep lo...	...	Larvae feed on Sweetgum (Forbes, 1954; Wagner et al., 2011)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S5	...
Papaipema sp. 4 Undescribed Papaipema Moth MONA_number: 9509.94		...	...		...			...
Peridea angulosa Angulose Prominent MONA_number: 7920.00		...	Barrens, woodlands, and forests (Wagner, 2005). WE have records from essentially the entire spectrum of oak-hickory forests in the state, including maritime forests, bottomland forest, mesic slopes, d...	Larvae feed on oaks, questionably on hickory (Wagner, 2005)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S5	...
Halysidota harrisii Sycamore Tussock Moth MONA_number: 8204.00	One of five species in this genus that occur in North America (Lafontaine and Schimdt, 20010), three of which have been recorded in North Carolina	Adults of all three of our species of Halysidota are highly similar to one another, possessing long, pointed wings that are translucent yellow and marked with bands of slightly darker, offset c...	Riparian forests, including brownwater river floodplains in the Coastal Plain and bottomland hardwoods more generally in the Piedmont and Low Mountains....	Believed to feed solely on Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) (Forbes, 1960; Wagner, 2005)....	Comes to blacklights in small numbers even in areas that appear to be prime habitat, but whether that is due to lack of attraction to lights or small population sizes is unknown. May feed on flowers ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands. Should possibly be placed on the NHP Watch List until more is learned about its actual distribution and abundance	G4 S4	This species is certainly a habitat specialist but appears to be even rarer than would be expected based on the distribution of Sycamore in the state. We have inspected hundreds of adult specimens wi...
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Automeris io Io Moth MONA_number: 7746.00	One of seven species in this genus found north of Mexico but the only one found east of the Appalachians (Tuskes et al., 1996). Ferguson (1971) recognized two subspecies along the Atlantic Slope: A. io io from Maine to South Carolina and A. io lilith from South Carolina to Florida and west to Louisiana. Tuskes et al. (1996), however, did not find any consistent geographic differences between these forms and did not recognize lilith as a distinct subspecies.	Adults are unmistakeable: medium-large moths with yellow (males) or reddish-brown (females) forewings and large black, pale-centered eyespots on the hindwings....	The Io moth occupies a wide variety of habitats throughout its range, including residential areas and croplands in addition to natural ecosystems (Ferguson, 1971; Tuskes et al., 1996; Wagner, 2005). ...	Broadly polyphagous, feeding on many species of hardwood trees, shrubs, forbes, and graminoids; does not feed on conifers, however (see Ferguson, 1971 and Wagner, 2005 for extensive lists of host plan...	Adults of both sexes come well to blacklights and incandescent lights but since they do not feed, they do not come to bait. Larvae are gregarious in the earlier instars and are often quite conspicuou...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 [S5]	Populations are locally vulnerable to the effects of weather, outbreaks of disease, parasites, and predators, and to the effects of pesticides. However, given the commonness of their host plants, wid...
Hemaris diffinis Snowberry Clearwing Moth MONA_number: 7855.00	A Holarctic genus of 19 species of which 4 occur in North America and 3 in North Carolina. They are often called hummingbird or bumblebee moths, and are among the best known Sphingids to North Carolinians.	Adults have a yellowish thorax and probably are mimics of bumblebees or carpenter bees; they can also be recognized by the narrow black margin to the clear area on the hindwing -- in our other two spe...	Records for adults come from a variety of open habitats, ranging from Barrier Islands, beaver pond wetlands, to open fields and gardens. Larvae may occur anywhere where honeysuckles grow, which inclu...	Oligophagous, feeding on members of the Caprifoliaceae, including honeysuckles and snowberry. Wagner (2007) reports dogbane and Amsonia are also foodplants. In North Carolina, we have larval ...	Diurnal, the species does not fly at night nor visit bait. Like butterflies, this species should be sought nectaring at flowers. Look for adults visiting flowers in fields and gardens that border or ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 [S5]	Its statewide occurrence and use of a wide range of habitat types, including developed areas, makes it secure in the state....
Tolype velleda Large Tolype Moth MONA_number: 7670.00		...	Woodlands and forests (Wagner, 2005). We have records from a wide range of forested habitats, from the barrier islands to Mt. Mitchell. Bottomlands, xeric sandhills, and cove forests are all used but ...	Polyphagous, feeding on many species of hardwood trees and shrubs, including Apple, Ash, Aspen, Basswood, Beech, Birch, Cherry, and Oak (Wagner, 2005)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S5	...
Anisota virginiensis Pink-striped Oakworm Moth MONA_number: 7723.00	One of four species in this genus that occurs in North Carolina (3 others occur north of Mexico -- Tuskes et al. 1996). Ferguson (1971) described a southern subspecies, pellucida, based primarily on its more intense shade of red. Tuskes et al. (1996), however, considered the differences between the forms to be clinal. Apart from some possible and minor differences in the length of the spines in the larvae (Burke and Peigler, 2009), there does not seem to be any convincing reason to treat pellucida separately, particularly as a full species (as proposed by Riotte and Peigler, 1980; see also Burke and Peigler, 2009). We follow Tuskes et al. in this regard.	Adult females are fairly easy to recognize, differing from those of A. stigma and senatoria in a number of respects: no dark speckling on the wings; more pinkish coloration, particularly in the margin...	Habitats used in North Carolina appear to span the entire range of oak forests and woodlands, from Maritime Forests, to xeric Sandhills, to Coastal Plain and Piedmont Bottomland Hardwoods, to Montane ...	Stenophagous on oaks. Ferguson (1971) mentions Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) for subspecies virginiensis and Blackjack oak (Q. marilandica -- figured in Abbot and Smith, 1797) for pellucida; Covel...	Females come fairly well to blacklights and incandescent lights but since they do not feed, do not come to bait. Males are diurnal and do not show up at lights at night. Although believed to be bee ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 [S5]	Populations are locally vulnerable to the effects of weather, outbreaks of disease, parasites, and predators, and to the effects of pesticides. However, given the commonness of their host plants, wid...
Hyphantria cunea Fall Webworm Moth MONA_number: 8140.00	The only member of its genus in North America. Two species, cunea and textor, have been recognized in the past (e.g., Brimley, 1938; Forbes, 1960), but only cunea is considered valid now (Hodges, et al., 1983).	Adults are white with variable amounts of black spotting. They are typically smaller but similar to Spilosoma species, also possessing yellow on fore-coxae and femora like all but S. latipennis. Par...	Wagner (2005) lists the habitats of this species as "yards and parks, fields, fencerows, woodlands, and forests." In North Carolina, it is found in most habitats that possess hardwood trees, includin...	Polyphagous, but feeding solely on hardwood trees, unlike most other members of the Arctiinae. Recorded from over 400 species of hardwoods (Wagner, 2005) ...	Populations are easily detected by the communal webs made by the larvae. Adults come well to blacklights, with up to 90 being collected in a single trap. None have been recorded at bait....	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 [S5]	This species is abundant, widespread, and makes use of a wide variety of habitats across the state, including wooded residential areas. It appears to be quite secure....
sciName	taxonomic_comments	id_comments	habitat	food	observation_methods	state_protection	NHP_ranks	status_comments
Actias luna Luna Moth MONA_number: 7758.00	This is the only member of its genus found north of Mexico. A painting of this species was done by Mark Catesby, dated 1743, possibly from specimens collected in the Carolinas. According to Ferguson (1972), Linnaeus mentioned this painting in his description of the species, although the actual type material may have been collected in the Northeast.	Adults are unmistakable: no other large moth in our area is pale green in color and has long "tails" on its hindwings. Spring individuals typically have narrow red or purplish bands along the outer ma...	Occurs in virtually all types of hardwood forests in the state, from barrier islands (e.g., Fort Macon) to the high mountains (e.g., Great Smoky Mountains National Park). It is also frequently encoun...	Feeds on many species of hardwood trees and shrubs but not on conifers or herbs (Covell, 1984; Wagner, 2005). Brimley (1938) reported it feeding on the following species in North Carolina: Sweet gum...	Comes well to 15 watt UV lights and also to incandescent light to some extent. Adults do not feed and consequently are not attracted by bait. Adult females can be tethered in order to attract males ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 [S5]	Populations are locally vulnerable to the effects of weather, outbreaks of disease, parasites, and predators, and to the effects of pesticides. However, given the commonness of their host plants, wid...
Antheraea polyphemus Polyphemus Moth MONA_number: 7757.00	The only member of its genus in the eastern United States (Antheraea oculea occurs in Arizona and New Mexico -- Tuskes et al., 1996)	Adults are unmistakable. With a wingspan of 4-6 inches, this is one of our largest native moths. Its yellowish-brown or tan color and large ellipical eyes-spots distinguish it from the similar-sized...	Occurs in virtually all types of forests in the state, from maritime forests on the barrier islands (e.g., Fort Macon) to the high elevation forests of the mountains (e.g., Great Smoky Mountains Natio...	Feeds on many species of hardwood trees and shrubs, but not on pines as has been previously reported (D. Schweitzer, pers. comm. to S. Hall). Brimley (1938) reported that it feeds primarily on elm an...	Comes well to 15 watt UV lights and also to incandescent light to some extent. Adults do not feed and consequently are not attracted by bait. Larvae can be detected in low trees and shrubs through t...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands	G5 [S5]	Populations are locally vulnerable to the effects of weather, outbreaks of disease, parasites, and predators, and to the effects of pesticides. However, given the commonness of their host plants, wid...
Antaeotricha osseella MONA_number: 1015.00	The genus Antaeotricha is endemic to the New World and includes nearly 400 species of mostly neotropical species. Twenty species are currently recognized in North America.	The following description is primarily from Duckworth (1964). The face, labial palps, and dorsum of the head are whitish and sprinkled with brown scales. The thorax and forewing are concolorous and va...	Local populations are found in forested habitats with oaks. Most of the host species are found in mesic to dry habitats such as oak-hickory forests, mesic upland slopes, and rocky, dry ridges. ...	The larvae appear to only feed on oaks (Robinson et al, 2010; Marquis et al., 2019). The known hosts include White Oak (Quercus alba), Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea), Shingle Oak (Q. imbri...	The adults are attracted to lights, and individuals have been successfully reared from larvae in tied oak leaves. ...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	GNR S1S3	We have only one recent record for this species from the Sandhills regions, along with three historical records from two sites in the mountains. ...
Lithophane petulca Wanton Pinion MONA_number: 9889.00	One of 51 species in this genus that occur in North America (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010, 2015), 25 of which have been recorded in North Carolina	In the typical form, this species is fairly uniformly colored, with the ground color an even violet gray-brown with strong rufous and bright luteous shadings (Forbes, 1954). Both the reniform and orbi...	Our records come from mesic forests in the Mountains....	Larvae feed on a number of hardwood trees and shrubs, including a number of species associated with riparian habitats, including Alder, Birch, Elm, Poplar, and Willow. Other hosts include Oak, Hickory...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S3S4	...
Meropleon diversicolor Multicolored Sedgeminer Moth MONA_number: 9427.00		The basal half of the forewing is gray, heavily shaded with blackish especially towards the inner margin, and with some reddish scaling over the fold (Forbes, 1954). The outer half is contrastingly wh...	Apart from one record from a high elevation summit, all of our records come from low elevation wetlands, mainly sandhill streamheads and beaver ponds...	Larvae have been found boring within Scirpus cyperinus (Bird, in Forbes, 1954)...	...	Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.	G5 S3S4	...