Moths of North Carolina
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Homorthodes Members:
56 NC Records

Homorthodes furfurata (Grote, 1875) - Northern Scurfy Quaker Moth

Homorthodes furfurata
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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: EriopyginiP3 Number: 933088 MONA Number: 10532.00
Comments: Like the North American genus Protorthodes, Homorthodes has some 15 named species, mostly from the southwestern United States but with two occurring in North Carolina.
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have been barcoded and are very similar to those from elsewhere in the species’ range. There is no hint of unrecognized species. H. lindseyi was thought to be a form of this species for many years but the genitalia and barcodes are quite distinct.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Neil (1983)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A medium-sized brownish moth often with a distinct black curved line through the median area of the forewing. Likely to be confused with Pseudorthodes vecors (the form lacking a white reniform), Orthodes cynica, and Protorthodes oviduca. H. furfurata lacks traces of reddish coloring and is usually smaller than the other species. Sexes are similar.
Adult Structural Features: Unlike Protorthodes, the male antennae are fasciculate, not serrate or pectinate. The male genitalia are readily distinguished from those of Orthodes, Protorthodes and Pseudorthodes by the expanded distal end of the valves. Female genitalia are also different in these genera. H. lindseyi has very similar male and female genitalia, but the males may be differentiated by the shape of the distal end of the valves; females are more difficult to distinguish using genital characters.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae are blackish with a small head and swollen posteriorly (see Neil, 1983, for a detailed description and illustrations). Distinguishable from H. lindseyi by structural characters.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Restricted to the Mountains in North Carolina
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: Apparently single brooded in the middle of the summer but the flight period is rather broad.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come from both open areas and upland hardwoods, often where artificial openings are present, such as overlooks, picnic areas, and visitor centers.
Larval Host Plants: What this species actually feed on in the wild is unknown but Crumb (1956) recorded Maple and Indian Plum as foodplants, along with dead leaves. However, larvae reared by Neil (1983) rejected both those species and Cherry and fed -- albeit slowly - only on Dandelion. All of these records were obtained from larvae produced by enclosing a female for eggs. - View
Observation Methods: Adults come to light but we have no information regarding their attraction to bait or flowers.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Montane Forests and Fields
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to occur throughout the Mountains, at both high and relatively low elevations. It also makes use of a broad range of habitats, including some disturbed sites. It therefore seems relatively secure in the state.

 Photo Gallery for Homorthodes furfurata - Northern Scurfy Quaker Moth

Photos: 1

Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-29
Avery Co.
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