Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFLimacodidae Members: 71 NC Records

Parasa chloris (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) - Smaller Parasa Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Zygaenoidea Family: LimacodidaeP3 Number: 660053.00 MONA Number: 4698.00
Comments: One of two representatives of this genus found in North America, both of which occur in North Carolina.
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: Distinctive. The outer margin and basal area of forewing warm brown; the median area is bright green, as is the thorax and head. It is very similar to Parasa indetermina but is separated from that species by a straight or slightly concave posterior edge of the green median area, as well as an evenly brown outer margin (with darker brown veins), though wear can make differentiation difficult. Typically rests in an upright stance on thick, "furry" brown legs, in a slightly "head down" posture. Length from tip of head to apex of forewing at rest averages 14 mm (n = 1).
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Strongly humpbacked pink, tan, or orange caterpillar with red and white-edged venter and a narrowed and pointed anterior end. Abdomen marked by vague wavy lines. Anterior end with three fascicles bearing white stinging spines, the largest group arising from the top of the hump. Posterior end with two prominent clusters of white stinging spines. Smaller spine clusters, which follow along a black dorsal stripe, connect the two groups (Wagner, 2005).
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Barrens, woodlands, and forests.
Larval Host Plants: Polyphagous, feeding upon a variety of woody plants including apple, beech, birch, cherry, dogwood, elm, and oak (Wagner, 2005).
Observation Methods: Readily attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Forests and Shrublands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G4 S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Common across the state.

 Photo Gallery for Parasa chloris - Smaller Parasa Moth

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

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-24
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-08-03
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: David George on 2021-07-26
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2021-07-26
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-07-21
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-14
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-14
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-11
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-07-08
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-05
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-06-29
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-06-05
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-09-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-10
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-07-29
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-07-29
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-07-21
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-07-21
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-07-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn on 2020-07-15
Polk Co.
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Recorded by: Heather Burditt on 2020-07-13
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Heather Burditt on 2020-07-13
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Heather Burditt on 2020-07-13
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-06-30
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-06-22
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: L. M. Carlson on 2019-08-04
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-06-11
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-06-04
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen and Pat McConnell on 2018-06-29
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-06-18
Madison Co.
Comment: