Moths of North Carolina
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Homorthodes Members:
109 NC Records

Homorthodes lindseyi (Benjamin, 1922) - Southern Scurfy Quaker Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: EriopyginiP3 Number: 933089.00 MONA Number: 10532.10
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 H. furfurata for many years but the genitalia and barcodes are quite distinct.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984; described as a subspecies of H. furfurata but not illustrated)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1954); Crumb (1956)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In size and shape very much like H. furfurata. However, that species is brown while H. lindseyi is a reddish/pink color and has pearly hindwings instead of the fuscus ones of H. furfurata. It is smaller than most Pseudorthodes cynica and Orthodes vecors and their reddish coloration is a different tone and darkened with blackish scaling.
Adult Structural Features: 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. H. furfurata 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-brown, with small heads and swollen posteriorly; very similar to those of H. furfurata but can be distinguished based on structural characteristics (see Crumb, 1956).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This species is found commonly in the Mountain and Piedmont regions but We have only a few records from the western part of the Coastal Plain.
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: There are two broods, one in the early spring and a second in late summer with the spring brood usually the more abundant.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come from open habitats -- including maritime dunes, glades, and old fields -- but also from upland woodlands, frequently but not always, where artificial openings are present, including picnic areas, overlooks, visitor centers, and access roads.
Larval Host Plants: Forbes (1954) found that captive larvae did well on Cherry and Crumb (1956) reported that they fed on dead leaves. These records were produced by enclosing a female and getting eggs. What the larvae feed on in the field is unknown but likely to be a variety of forbs and grasses.
Observation Methods: Adults come to light but we have no information regarding their attraction to bait or flowers.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Widespread and fairly common over the western two-thirds of the state. Occupies a broad range of upland habitats, including early successional or other disturbed areas. Appears to be secure within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Homorthodes lindseyi - Southern Scurfy Quaker Moth

Photos: 28

Recorded by: David George on 2023-04-19
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and John Petranka on 2023-04-19
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-31
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-05-11
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-04-30
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-08-06
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-16
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-05-01
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-29
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-04-28
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2020-09-07
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-05-13
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-08-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-05-01
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-04-23
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-04-23
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-08-15
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2018-07-24
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-05-11
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2018-05-06
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2015-05-09
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2015-05-09
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2015-05-02
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2013-09-01
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2012-08-16
Ashe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2012-05-05
Ashe Co.
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Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2012-04-09
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2010-05-20
Warren Co.
Comment: