Moths of North Carolina
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115 NC Records

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

Parasa chlorisParasa chlorisParasa chlorisParasa chloris
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Zygaenoidea Family: LimacodidaeP3 Number: 57a0093 MONA Number: 4698.00
Comments: This is one of two members of this genus that are found in North America, both of which occur in North Carolina.
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 (1897c); Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a distinctive species that is bicolored. The palps, antennae, legs, and ground color of the forewing are warm brown, while the dorsum of the head, the thorax, and portions of the median and basal areas of the forewing form a continuous, broad, bright green band when viewed from the side. The green band on the forewing is edged with a thin dark brown line, and the veins on the apical half are also dark brown. Individuals typically rests in an upright stance on thick, "furry" brown legs, in a slightly "head down" posture.

Parasa chloris is very similar to P. indetermina but is smaller and the posterior edge of the green median area is straight or slightly concave. In addition, the subapical area adjacent to the outer margin is evenly brown (except for the darker brown veins). In Parasa indetermina, the posterior edge of the green median area is more rounded, and the subapical area adjacent to the outer margin has a diffuse dark brown blotch near the middle of the wing. Worn specimens may be difficult to distinguish, but can be identified using genitalia.
Wingspan: 1.8-2.7 cm (Covell, 1984)
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Dyar (1897c) studied the life history of this species in New York where populations are univoltine. In New York the eggs are laid in mid- to late-July and the larvae become mature during late-August through September. Females lay their eggs singly, but often place several on the same leaf. It is not uncommon for two females to oviposit on the same leaf. The larvae rest on the undersides of leaves and feed singly. Dyar (1897c) noted that the larvae typically feed on deciduous trees and never found them on nearby, low-lying shrubby vegetation. They pass through eight instars, with the final instars varying from 10.6-20.3 mm. The final instars spin a cocoon and overwinter on the ground, with pupation occurring in the spring (Marquis et al., 2019).

The larvae are distinctive in being strongly humpbacked with a tail-like structure at the posterior end. The mature larva can be pink, tan, orange, brown or gray, and often with a red and/or white-edged ventral margin and a narrowed and pointed anterior end. The mid-dorsal area often has a broad band that is lighter than the adjoining dorsolateral coloration, along with a thin and often broken black line along the lateral margins of the band. The anterior end has three raised humps with clusters of white stinging spines, with the largest group arising from the top of the hump. The posterior end has two prominent clusters of white stinging spines. Smaller spine clusters that follow along the black dorsolateral line connect the two groups (Marquis et al., 2019; Wagner, 2005). Although early instars of P. chloris somewhat resemble those of Euclea species, they show the characteristic humped-backed body shape with a tail-like structure that is typical of the mature larva (Wagner 2005).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Parasa chloris is found in the eastern US and Ontario, Canada. In the US the range extends from southern New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut southward to central Florida, and westward to eastern Texas, Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, southeastern Iowa and Illinois. This species occurs statewide, but is relatively uncommon in the Coastal Plain where hardwoods are less prevalent.
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
Flight Comments: The adults have been observed from February through October in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak in most populations occurring in June through August. Populations in North Carolina are univoltine, which is likely the case for most populations throughout the range. As of 2023, our records extend from late-May through early September, with a peak in flight activity in July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records are mostly from sites with deciduous or mixed pine-hardwood forests, and encompass a wide range of moisture conditions from alluvial forests to dry or xeric habitats. Local populations also commonly occur in semi-wooded residential neighborhoods and along forest edges and wooded fencerows.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are polyphagous and feed almost entirely on deciduous trees and shrubs (Dyar, 1897c; Wagner, 2005; Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010; Murphy et al., 2011; Marquis et al., 2019). The reported hosts include birches (Betula), hickories (Carya), American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), bittersweet (Celastrus), dogwoods (Cornus), American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), spicebush (Lindera), loosestrifes (Lysimachia), apples (Malus), Common Waxmyrtle (Morella cerifera), populars (Populus), Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium), Black Cherry (P. serotina), pears (Pyrus), White Oak (Quercus alba), Chinquapin Oak (Q. muehlenbergii), Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra), Black Oak (Q. velutina), roses (Rosa), willows (Salix), American Basswood (Tilia americana), elms (Ulmus) and Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are readily attracted to lights and the larvae can be found feeding beneath the leaves of hardwoods in late summer.
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: This species is common in the Blue Ridge and Piedmont, and rather uncommon in the Coastal Plain. It is polyphagous on many common hardwoods and appears to be secure within North Carolina.

 Photo Gallery for Parasa chloris - Smaller Parasa Moth

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

Recorded by: David George, Larry Chen on 2024-08-29
Durham Co.
Comment: Larva on Acer rubrum		Recorded by: David George, Larry Chen on 2024-08-29
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Kevin Bischof on 2024-08-07
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Kevin Bischof on 2024-08-07
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-07-30
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin, Steve Hall, Carol Tingley, Tom Howard on 2024-07-27
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin, Steve Hall, Carol Tingley, Tom Howard on 2024-07-27
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-15
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-15
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-07-01
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-28
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-24
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-23
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-23
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-06-18
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-14
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-19
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-15
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka, David George on 2023-08-05
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30
Swain Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-29
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-26
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-26
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-22
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-07-18
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-11
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka, David George on 2023-07-07
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2023-07-01
Yancey Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-06-30
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-06-28
Madison Co.
Comment: