Moths of North Carolina
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Herpetogramma Members:
50 NC Records

Herpetogramma thestealis (Walker, 1859) - Zigzag Herpetogramma Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: SpilomeliniP3 Number: 801199.00 MONA Number: 5277.00
Comments: Over 20 species of Herpetogramma have been described from North America that are based mostly on external morphology. The most recent treatment consolidates these into only nine species (Solis, 2010) and all nine occur in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Solis (2010)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The ground color is pale cream or whitish, sometimes with a violet or bluish iridescence (Forbes, 1923). White patches are located between the orbicular and reniform spots and between the reniform and postmedian line. The marginal shade is dark brown or beige and contrasts markedly with the paler basal area (Solis, 2010). Herpetogramma pertextalis is similar but with a darker ground color and markings that are finer (Forbes, 1923).
Wingspan: 28-35 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Adult Structural Features: "In all these, females are much more difficult" (Scholtens, 2017)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
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:
Larval Host Plants: Although poorly documented, H. thestealis appears to be polyphagous (Handfield and Handfield, 2011; Robinson et al., 2010). It has been found associated with American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa), Coastal Sweet-pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), hazelnut (Corylus sp.), Mountain Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera), and American Basswood (Tilia americana).
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:

 Photo Gallery for Herpetogramma thestealis - Zigzag Herpetogramma Moth

Photos: 26

Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-05-09
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-09-05
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-08-14
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2022-07-17
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-16
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-07-22
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2021-07-19
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2021-07-09
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-05-24
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-10-06
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-07-12
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-05-03
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-05-03
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Patrick and Megan Blythe on 2019-07-03
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-09-10
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-09-10
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-08-10
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Dowlan on 2018-08-06
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2018-08-05
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2018-08-01
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-07-19
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-06-09
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2018-06-09
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2018-06-05
Beaufort Co.
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Recorded by: T. DeSantis on 2012-09-13
Camden Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2012-09-04
Ashe Co.
Comment: