Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
View PDFLimacodidae Members: 61 NC Records

Monoleuca semifascia (Walker, 1855) - Pin-striped Vermilion Slug Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Zygaenoidea Family: LimacodidaeP3 Number: 660047.00 MONA Number: 4691.00
Comments: One of two representatives of this genus currently recognized in N.A. Both occur in the east, though only semifascia has been confirmed in NC.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (2005)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, BAMONATechnical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Entirely warm brown or reddish brown. The FW bears a single, wavy line that run halfway across the FW from the midpoint of the inner margin. This line, typically silvery white to yellowish white in color, varies in appearance from relatively wide and obvious to very thin or barely discernible. Larvae: Salmon, pink, or most commonly bright red with dorsal and lateral areas each with set of three thin blue-black stripes. Fascicles of 20 or more short, whitish, stinging spines grouped in four lines that run the length of the body. Anterior end bears four dark, "gumdrop-shaped" conical projections of equal size (Wagner, 2005).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
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
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Most of our records come from dry woodlands and flatwoods. However, we also have at least a few from wet savannas and peatlands.
Larval Host Plants: Polyphagous, feeding upon cherry, oak, pecan, persimmon, and presumably many other woody plants (Wagner, 2005).
Observation Methods: Readily attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: The vast majority of records are from the Coastal Plain, with a few records from the Piedmont and fewer still from the Low Mountains. Given that the reported food plants are widespread, other habitat factors, such as xeric conditions, are likely to be important factors in controlling the distribution of this species in the state.

 Photo Gallery for Monoleuca semifascia - Pin-striped Vermilion Slug Moth

Photos: 11

Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2022-05-31
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2022-05-31
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-05-23
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Morgan Freese on 2022-05-19
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Bo Sullivan and Steve Hall on 2021-06-08
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-05-27
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-06-01
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: ASH on 2011-07-07
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: E. Corey, C. Helms, M. Flanagan on 2006-10-12
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2006-06-22
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2004-07-06
Carteret Co.
Comment: