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
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.
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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: