Moths of North Carolina
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42 NC Records

Anaplectoides prasina ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Green Arches Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: NoctuiniP3 Number: 933564.00 MONA Number: 11000.00
Comments: A moderately large genus of some 15 species, with three occurring in North America and the remaining in Europe, China, India and Japan. Two species occur in North Carolina and one of them, prasina, occurs across much of Europe as well.
Species Status: Specimens from North America and Europe all barcode as a single species and those from North Carolina are similar.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954); Lafontaine (1998)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1954); Crumb (1956); Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The large size and mossy green coloration should identify this species, although the color fades in museum specimens. Sexes are similar.
Wingspan: 4.5 - 6 cm
Adult Structural Features: Male and female genitalia are distinct at the generic level, the species are close and the genitalia fairly similar. This species differs from Anaplectoides brunneomedia by the shape of the valve which expands distally and by the rasp-like plate at the base of the vesica. In A. brunneomedia the valve does not expand distally and the plate at the base of the vesica is a serrated strip.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The caterpillar apparently builds a cocoon in which it aestivates prior to pupating the following year (McCabe, 1988). The cocoon can be placed in detritus (leaves and conifer needles) or under bark.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This species is restricted to the Mountains, where it occurs from about 3500’ upward.
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 is a single brood from June to August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: A boreal species, with most records in North Carolina coming from Rich Cove Forests, Northern Hardwood Forests and Spruce-fir Forests at the highest elevations.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae are said to be general feeders on forbs, shrubs and low growing woody plants (Wagner et al, 2011). Pogue (2006) lists the following hosts: maple (Acer), hazelnut (Corylus), Digitalis, huckleberry (Gaylussacia), knotweed (Polygonum), blackberry (Rubus), dock (Rumex), and willow (Salix). Beadle & Leckie (2012) add honeysuckle (Lonicera), apple (Malus), gooseberry (Ribes), and cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). We have no foodplant records from North Carolina. - View
Observation Methods: Adults come readily to light but their response to bait and flowers is unknown.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General High Elevation Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [W3]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S3S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species is restricted to high elevation forested habitats in the Southern Appalachians. As such, it is likely to be at significant risk due to climate change and other factors that are degrading these habitats in North Carolina. Determination of the host plants used by this species could help to better determine its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Anaplectoides prasina - Green Arches Moth

Photos: 7

Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-26
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2019-07-30
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2019-07-30
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2016-06-28
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Scharf on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Scharf on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Scharf on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment: