Moths of North Carolina
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Trichopolia Members:
35 NC Records

Trichopolia oviduca (Guenée, 1852) - Ruddy Quaker Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: EriopyginiP3 Number: 933113.00 MONA Number: 10563.00 MONA Synonym: Protorthodes oviduca
Comments: A New World genus of some 15 species, 1 from Mexico, 1 from Eastern North America and North Carolina and the remainder from the American West (Lafontaine et al., 2014).
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have been examined and cluster with those from elsewhere, no evidence of multiple species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Crumb (1956); Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species is likely to be confused with Homorthodes furfurata, Pseudorthodes vecors or Orthodes cynica. Males and females usually have a well marked yellowish subterminal line, the others do not. Individuals lacking the subterminal line may require dissection until one becomes familiar with the species. Specimens are uniform brown or in the mountains reddish, some with a well marked pattern of lines.
Adult Structural Features: Males of Trichopolia have pectinate antennae, whereas those of Homorthodes and Pseudorthodes do not. The long, thin uncus is diagnostic for the male. For the female, the lyre-shaped ductus bursae is diagnostic.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The caterpillar is undistinguished, perhaps the best character being an orangish/tan subdorsal patch on segment A8 (Wagner et al, 2011). The caterpillar overwinters as a mature larva.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Probably found over most of the state, although we have few records from the Piedmont and Low Mountains
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: While more records are needed, the species appears to be single brooded in the mountains (May-June) but double brooded in the Coastal Plain (April, October). The two broods occur at the beginning of the season and at the end, a very peculiar pattern. Records from the Piedmont are too few to see a pattern.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Lafontaine et al. (2014) note that T. oviduca is found only in sandy habitats in parts of its range; this is consistent with our records from maritime dunes and Longleaf Pine-dominated sandhills in the Coastal Plain. We also have records from non-sandy, forested habitats, including both dry and mesic sites in the Mountains. Most of those records, however, appear to come from sites where the canopy is fairly open or where artificial openings are present. We do not have records from floodplains, peatlands, or other types of wet habitats.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae appear to be general feeders on low growing plants and grasses but there are remarkably few actual records. Larvae once found in January on withered mullein leaves (Crumb, 1956). - View
Observation Methods: Adults respond to light and bait but have not been reported from flowers.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Although we have relatively few records for this species, it has a wide distribution in the state and uses a broad range of habitats, including at least some disturbed areas. It thus seems relatively secure within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Trichopolia oviduca - Ruddy Quaker Moth

Photos: 11

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-03-05
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-10-01
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-03-21
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-03-15
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-09-28
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2021-04-07
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-03-27
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-04-02
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-10-11
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-10
Dare Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2006-03-30
Carteret Co.
Comment: