Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFLimacodidae Members: Apoda Members: 169 NC Records

Apoda biguttata Packard, 1864 - Shagreened Slug Moth


Apoda biguttataApoda biguttataApoda biguttataApoda biguttata
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Zygaenoidea
Family:
Limacodidae
P3 Number:
57a0048
MONA Number:
4669.00
Comments: This is one of five members of the genus that occur in North America, three of which occur in North Carolina. This species was formerly placed in the genus Cochlidion.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Dyar, 1897b; Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species the antennae are brown and the head, palps, and thorax vary from creamy white to light brown. The distal half of the forewing is occupied by a broad "Y" shaped mark that is filled with brown to brownish gray scales and margined on all sides with a wide whitish line. The proximal half of the forewing is light brown with a diffuse longitudinal cream-colored streak that extends from the base of the middle of the wing to the Y-shaped mark described above. The other conspicuous marks are a chestnut-colored, tear-dropped shaped mark at the apex and a similarly-colored spot at the anal angle that is smaller and more rounded, and nested within the "V" of the "Y" shaped mark. Individuals often rest with the abdomen raised and curled forward above the wings. The abdomen is brown with whitish stripes along the sides that match those of the Y-shaped mark on the forewing. Together, they appear to act as disruptive coloration that breaks up the outline of the body. Apoda biguttata 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 the tip of head to the apex of forewing at rest averages 12 mm (n = 7).
Wingspan: 25-30 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Adult Structural Features: In this species the antenna of the male is simple and the palps barely reach the vertex. In both sexes the costa of the forewing is nearly straight, the apex is square rather than rounded, and there are four spurs on each hind tibia (Forbes, 1923).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The slug-like larvae feed on several taxa of deciduous hardwoods, particularly oaks. Dyar (1897b) noted that females in New York lay their eggs singly on the lower branches of oaks. The eggs hatch in 7-8 days, and there are six or seven instars. The younger instars skeletonize the undersides of leaves in patches, while the older larvae consume the entire leaf. Many populations appear to be univoltine, with the final instar spinning a tough, brownish, rounded cocoon with a texture that resembles cardboard. Overwintering occurs on the ground in the cocoon, and presumably in the prepupal stage, with the adult emerging after the spring leaf-out from a lid-like structure on the cocoon.

The later instars have smooth, pale bluish-green to whitish-green bodies. The dorsolateral region has a broad, yellowish, longitudinal line that is edged with dark green on the inner margin, and extends the entire length of the body. The posterior end bears a short, squared-off tail (Dyar, 1897b; Wagner, 2005). The fully grown larvae are 9.5-12 mm in length.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Apoda biguttata occurs throughout much of the eastern US and adjacent regions of southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia). In the US the range extends from Maine southward to Florida, and westward to central Texas, central Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina from the barrier islands to the higher elevations in the Blue Ridge.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Apoda biguttataAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New%20Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: immatures.
Flight Comments: The adults fly from February through October in Florida and other southern localities, and mostly from April through September farther north. As of 2023, our records extend from early May through mid-August. Populations appear to be univoltine in North Carolina.
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: The larvae feed on deciduous hardwoods (Dyar, 1897b; Wagner, 2005; Heppner, 2007; Beadle & Leckie, 2012). Dyar (1897b) only found the larvae on oaks in New York, with most on White Oak (Quercus alba) and few on other oaks. Other reported hosts include American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), hickories (Carya), and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are readily attracted to lights but not to bait or flowers.
Wikipedia
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: Apoda biguttata is common across the state and uses a wide range of habitats and host plants. This species appears to be secure in North Carolina.

 Photo Gallery for Apoda biguttata - Shagreened Slug Moth

108 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2025-07-23
Transylvania Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-13
Rowan Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George, David Cheng, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29
Richmond Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George on 2025-06-29
Richmond Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-29
Richmond Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George on 2025-06-29
Richmond Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George on 2025-06-29
Richmond Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George on 2025-06-29
Richmond Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-28
Moore Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-06-08
Madison Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24
Richmond Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24
Richmond Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-21
Wilson Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George on 2025-05-17
Durham Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06
Transylvania Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02
Chatham Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-28
Rowan Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-28
Rowan Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2024-07-25
Durham Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-21
Madison Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-16
Madison Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-15
Brunswick Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-15
Brunswick Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-08
Chatham Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-06
Madison Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-29
Chatham Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-19
Madison Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-16
Madison Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-05
Madison Co.
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Apoda biguttataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-26
Brunswick Co.
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