Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Geometridae Members:	Heliomata Members:	58 NC Records

Heliomata infulata (Grote, 1863) - Rare Spring Moth

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Geometroidea

Family:
Geometridae

Subfamily:
Ennominae

Tribe:
Macariini

P3 Number:
91a0689

MONA Number:
6263.00

Comments: A small genus of 4 species of which three are North American and two occur in North Carolina. The remaining species is in central Europe. Ferguson (2008) moved this genus from the Abraxini to the Macariini.

Species Status: A specimen from North Carolina has been barcoded and nests with H. infulata from Maryland. All are well separated from specimens of H. cycladata.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948); Ferguson (2008)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Ferguson (2008)

Adult Markings: A small, pale yellow-and-black Geometrid that is likely to be confused with only a small number of other species. The overall pattern of dark and pale markings is most similar to Heliomata cycladata, but the pale bands on both wings are usually white or only slightly tinged with yellow in cycladata but usually completely pale yellow in infulata. The pale patch on the hindwing is also much broader in cycladata, usually wider than the dark bands on either side, whereas it is narrower in infulata, usually occupying a third or less of the wing (Forbes, 1948; Ferguson, 2008). Infulata often has a thin line of yellow located in the dark basal patch of the hindwing (J.B. Sullivan, pers. obs.). Cycladata on the other hand usually has a pale dorsal band at the base of the abdomen and a partially orange collar, both of which are missing in infulata; the outlines of the pale patches tend to be more irregular, whereas they are typically clean-cut in infulata (Ferguson, 2008). Sexes similar but females tend to be larger and darker than males. Generally, a good quality photo should be sufficient to identify this species. Foodplants in the vicinity will also help distinguish the species as this species feeds on R. hispida complex (including nana) whereas H. cycladata feeds on Robinia pseudoacacia.

Adult Structural Features: Generically distinct but the two species have similar genitalia. The males differ by the outer, curved portion of the valva which is shorter and less upcurved in H. infulata than in H. cycladata. The larger row of cornuti in the aedeagus appears to be made up of smaller spines than in H. cycladata. Males possess a fovea and a comb on the third abdominal sternum; the hind tibiae are also enlarged in the males (Ferguson, 2008).

Genitalia and other structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Immatures and Development: Larvae were first discovered by J.B. Sullivan at Fort Bragg, NC (see Ferguson, 2008). Larvae are more boldly patterned than in H. cycladata with a reddish dorsal line on the green ground color. They lack the purplish patches found in cycladata and have a much weaker, pale subspiracular stripe (see illustration in Ferguson, 2008).

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Recorded primarily in the Fall-line Sandhills and the Blue Ridge, and from monadnocks in the Piedmont. Like the foodplants, the moths are noticeably colonial and not generally distributed. At some sites where the foodplant is present in adequate numbers the moth is absent.

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: Univoltine, flying in the spring and early summer

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Found wherever its foodplants (Robinia hispida and R. nana) grow, usually as low understory in xeric soils with a sparse overstory. Most of our records come from Longleaf Pine sandhills habitats in the Coastal Plain and Monadnock Forests in the Piedmont. Habitats were not recorded for other sites in the Piedmont and Mountains, but are all likely to be from dry, open woodlands, or from glades or barrens associated with rock outcrops.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are stenophagous, feeding primarily or exclusively on species of shrub locusts, including Dwarf Bristly Locust (Robinia nana) (Beadle & Leckie, 2018) in the Fall-line Sandhills as well as the Piedmont monadnocks, and probably on Bristly Locust (Robinia hispida) in the Mountains. - View

Observation Methods: Adults come readily to light traps and can be seen flying during the day. The bright pattern may indicate the adult is distasteful but no evidence has been presented to that effect.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Dry-Xeric Hardwood Forests

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status: W-PK

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G3G4 S2S3

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: This species appears to be a habitat specialist, occurring primarily in open, sandy or rocky woodlands that support populations of dwarf locusts. In the Coastal Plain, these habitats are maintained by frequent fire, which is probably also true for the monadnocks and montane woodlands where it has also been found. Fire suppression, along with habitat conversion, has probably eliminated it from most of its former range, but too frequent burning of small remaining preserves may also lead to local extirpation. Careful management taking the needs of insects into account is urgently needed in order to protect remaining populations.

Photo Gallery for Heliomata infulata - Rare Spring Moth

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

	Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-06-20 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Rob Van Epps on 2025-06-06 Alleghany Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Nora Murdock, Robert Emmott on 2025-06-06 Haywood Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Brian Bockhahn, Jim Petranka, John Petranka, Becky Elkin on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Kaitlyn Elliott on 2025-05-08 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-08 Harnett Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-04-27 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-04-27 Moore Co. Comment:
iNaturalist	Recorded by: birdsandbugs21 - Nick Spigler on 2024-06-10 Hoke Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/221833541***(c) Nick Spigler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28734 m	iNaturalist	Recorded by: maxbird1 - Max Ramey on 2023-09-03 Burke Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182251713***(c) Max Ramey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28620 m
iNaturalist	Recorded by: americanherper - Eric Johnson on 2023-09-03 Watauga Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267210938***(c) Eric Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28592 m	iNaturalist	Recorded by: culrey - Chris Ulrey on 2023-08-09 Avery Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/177900025***(c) Chris Ulrey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28592 m
iNaturalist	Recorded by: atrifun on 2023-05-31 Avery Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164828912***(c) atrifun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28592 m	iNaturalist	Recorded by: sparrel - Sparrel Wood on 2023-05-22 Buncombe Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/163812532***(c) Sparrel Wood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28677 m
iNaturalist	Recorded by: madhipp - Madison Reynolds on 2023-05-15 Buncombe Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/163296568***(c) Madison Reynolds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28649 m	iNaturalist	Recorded by: hydaticus - Robby Deans on 2022-05-15 Burke Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/120491590***(c) Robby Deans, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28620 m
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Bo Sullivan and Steve Hall on 2021-05-11 Scotland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Bo Sullivan and Steve Hall on 2021-05-11 Scotland Co. Comment:
iNaturalist	Recorded by: ncrosby - John and Nancy Crosby on 2021-04-09 Madison Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/88967448***(c) John and Nancy Crosby, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=37056 m	iNaturalist	Recorded by: scottsimmons - Scott Simmons on 2020-06-09 Burke Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49354920***(c) Scott Simmons, all rights reserved\| Public Positional Accuracy=28620 m
iNaturalist	Recorded by: jennspartacus on 2019-07-09 Buncombe Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28521416***(c) jennspartacus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28677 m		Recorded by: Alicia Jackson on 2019-05-01 Harnett Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Alicia Jackson on 2019-05-01 Harnett Co. Comment:	iNaturalist	Recorded by: denniswross - Dennis on 2019-04-06 Burke Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/22233815***(c) Dennis, all rights reserved\| Public Positional Accuracy=28620 m
	Recorded by: Alan Krakauer on 2018-08-08 McDowell Co. Comment: Photographed on Robinia hispida		Recorded by: Alan Krakauer on 2018-08-08 McDowell Co. Comment: Photographed on Robinia hispida
iNaturalist	Recorded by: hdmiller on 2017-05-25 Avery Co. Comment: iNat record - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/78006574***(c) hdmiller, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)\| Public Positional Accuracy=28592 m		Recorded by: Stephen Hall, Ed Corey, and Brian Bockhahn on 2017-05-17 Surry Co. Comment: