Moths of North Carolina
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15 NC Records

Anicla sullivani Lafontaine, 2004 - Sullivan's Dart

Anicla sullivaniAnicla sullivani
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: NoctuiniP3 Number: 933215 MONA Number: 10901.10
Comments: One of fifteen species in this genus that occur in North American north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt), six of which have been recorded in North Carolina
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Lafontaine (2004)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A medium-sized, reddish-to grayish Noctuid. The head, collar, thorax, and the basal third of the forewings are generally light- to medium-gray; the median and submedian areas of the forewing are usually shaded with reddish; a subapical dark patch may exist on the costa and the terminal area is also often dark. The prothoracic collar has a prominent black transverse band and the transverse lines on the forewings are usually strongly marked at the costa, becoming thinner but still traceable towards the posterior half of the wing. Hindwings are fuscous in both sexes (Lafontaine, 2004). Anicla lubricansis similar in size, color, and markings, but usually has a weakly-defined dark band on the collar, if any at all. Many individuals of these two species cannot be distinguished based on external features and must be dissected to determine their identity. Other members of this genus may have reddish-gray forewings but have much paler or glistening white hindwings.
Forewing Length: 15-17 mm (Lafontaine, 2004)
Adult Structural Features: Males lack the abdominal brushes that are found in A. lubricans (Lafontaine, 2004). Male and female reproductive structures are otherwise indistinguishable.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: Immature stages are unknown (Lafontaine, 2004)
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: All of our records come from the southern half of the Coastal Plain, including the Fall-line Sandhills.
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: Lafontaine (2004) indicates that there may be fairly distinct spring and fall flights. However, we have records from most of the growing season, but with too few to determine whether there are distinct flights or peaks.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Most of our records come from Longleaf Pine savannas and flatwoods. A. sullivani appears to occupy somewhat wetter habitats than lubricans but there appears to be at least some overlap in their habitat choices.
Larval Host Plants: Host plants appear to be unknown. - View
Observation Methods: Comes to lights
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: W3
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G3G4 [S2S3]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: In North Carolina, this species appears to be a specialist on wet Longleaf Pine habitats but the overall picture is clouded due to past confusion with Anicla sullivani. A clearer picture of the distribution, abundance, and habitat associations needs to be based on more definitely identified specimens and currently an accurate assessment of its conservation status cannot be made.

 Photo Gallery for Anicla sullivani - Sullivan's Dart

Photos: 3

Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-05-31
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-05-31
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2016-06-13
Hoke Co.
Comment: Male; species identity confirmed by dissection (no abdominal brushes)