Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
View PDFCrambidae Members:
Herpetogramma Members:
8 NC Records

Herpetogramma centrostrigalis (Stephens, 1834) - No Common Name


view caption
view caption
view caption
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: SpilomelinaeP3 Number: 801194.00 MONA Number: 5278.00
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.
Species Status: Herpetogramma centrostrigalis was described by Stephens in 1834 from a specimen that he reported was taken in Devonshire, England. Solis (2010) and an expert at the British Museum concluded that the specimen was in all likelihood mislabeled and was actually collected in the U.S.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Solis (2010)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In this species the head, thorax and abdomen are concolorous with the forewing and hindwing ground color, which varies from light yellow to light warm brown or beige. The abdomen has a narrow white crossband on the posterior margin of each segment, and the forewing has dark brown marks that are not strongly contrasting with the ground color. The marks include a faint, circular, orbicular spot and a more prominent reniform that resembles a dash. The area between the two lacks a whitish patch that is seen is some of our Herpetogramma species. The costa has dark shading from the base to the postmedial line, and the subterminal area lacks dark shading and is concolorous with the overall ground color.

The postmedial projects inward from the costa at around three-fourths the wing length. The section near the costa is lightly bowed inward, then meets an outwardly bulged section with three small, rounded, teeth. From there the line projects basally and forms a shallow loop, with the apex projecting towards the adjoining reniform spot. At the end of the loop, the line runs straight and obliquely inward to meet the inner margin near the middle of the wing. The hindwing is generally similar, but lacks the antemedial line and has a single discal spot. The postmedial lines of both wings is bordered distally by a narrow, diffuse light tan band. The fringe of both wings is a shade lighter than the adjoining ground color, and there is a narrow, dark brown, marginal line that is best developed on the hindwing, and that is sometimes missing on the forewing.

Herpetogramma centrostrigalis closely resembles H. theseusalis, but the latter is smaller (forewing length 11-14 mm versus > 14 mm), duskier, and has lines and spots that are darker and more contrasting. The subterminal area is also usually a shade darker, but not strongly so, than the overall ground color, as opposed to being concolorous in H. centrostrigalis. In addition, the line between M2 and the costa is relatively straight as opposed to being curved on H. centrostrigalis. Patania silicalis is also similar, but lacks an orbicular spot. In addition, the area behind the postmedial line is not conspicuously lighter than the overall ground color.
Wingspan: >15 mm (Solis, 2010)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Herpetogramma centrostrigalis appears to be rare and is currently known only from Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia (several SCAN records), and mostly from coastal habitats. As of 2023, most of our records are from the Coastal Plain, with one site record from the northern Blue Ridge.
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: As of 2023, our records extend from late-May through early-October.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records are from habitats that range from xeric to mesic, and often in open habitats such as powerline corridors and open, Longleaf Pine forests in the Sandhills. Several records from Virginia are from pine barrens.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts are undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to light.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [W3]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR] [S1S3]
State Protection:
Comments: Apparently very few specimens are known for this species, with the only confirmed ones outside of North Carolina from Virginia, Georgia and Louisiana (Solis, 2010; SCAN records).

 Photo Gallery for Herpetogramma centrostrigalis - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2017-06-22
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2005-08-26
Craven Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2005-06-19
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2005-06-19
Craven Co.
Comment: