Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFLimacodidae Members: 89 NC Records

Apoda biguttata Packard, 1864 - Shagreened Slug Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Zygaenoidea Family: LimacodidaeP3 Number: 660027.00 MONA Number: 4669.00
Comments: One of five members of the genus to occur in North America, three of which occur in North Carolina. Formerly placed in the genus Cochlidion.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, BAMONATechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The broad forewing is light brown at the base with a chestnut-colored, tear-dropped shaped mark at the apex and a similarly-colored spot at the anal angle. A straight, white line bisects the forewing, running from the inner margin to near the midpoint of the costa, with an oblique white line running from the mid-point of the outer margin to the subapical costa. These lines, together with the anal angle spot, form a stout "Y" shape that is filled with brownish gray. It is most similar in appearance to the "dark form" of A. y-inversum, but the "Y" on that species is dark brown and bordered by dark lines. The length from tip of head to apex of forewing at rest averages 12 mm (n = 7). It typically rests with the abdomen curled up above the wings.
Wingspan: 25-30 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Adult Structural Features: Male antennae are simple; the palps barely reach to the vertex; there are four spurs on the hind tibiae in both sexes; the costa of the forewing is nearly straight and the apex is square rather than rounded (Forbes, 1923).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The slug-like caterpillar is pale blue-green with two pale dorsal stripes that are darkened along the inner edge. The rear bears a short, squared-off tail (Wagner, 2005).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Probably occurs statewide, from the Barrier Islands to High 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: Probably single-brooded, flying from April to August in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, but with only records from mid-summer from the Mountains
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come primarily from stands of wet to mesic hardwoods, with almost none from Longleaf Pine habitats, peatlands, or dry maritime habitats.
Larval Host Plants: Beech and Oak, primarily, but also reported to use Hickory and American Hornbeam (Wagner, 2005).
Observation Methods: Readily attracted to lights but not to bait or flowers.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Hardwood Forests
See also Habitat Account for General Hardwood Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it in state parks and on other public lands.
Comments: Occurs commonly across the state, makes use of a wide range of habitats and presumably host plants; seems secure in North Carolina

 Photo Gallery for Apoda biguttata - Shagreened Slug Moth

37 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2021-08-09
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lior Carlson, Richard Teper on 2021-08-03
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-07-28
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-07-28
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-07-21
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-14
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-06-12
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Bo Sullivan and Steve Hall on 2021-06-07
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-04
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-05-31
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: L. M. Carlson on 2019-07-21
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: L. M. Carlson on 2019-07-21
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-06-29
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2019-06-02
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-06-01
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-05-28
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-08-20
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2018-06-05
Beaufort Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-06-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-17
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2017-06-30
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn on 2017-05-02
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. A. Anderson on 2015-08-02
Surry Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf, S. Hall on 2015-07-22
Stanly Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf, L. Amos on 2015-05-12
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2014-07-26
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2014-06-22
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2014-06-14
McDowell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: L. Amos on 2014-05-31
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-04
Dare Co.
Comment: