Moths of North Carolina
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Iridopsis Members:
10 NC Records

Iridopsis cypressaria (Grossbeck, 1917) - Small Cypress Looper

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: EnnominaeTribe: BoarmiiniP3 Number: 910989.00 MONA Number: 6571.00 MONA Synonym: Anacamptodes cypressaria
Comments: One of 20 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico, seven of which have been recorded in North Carolina. In Rindge's 1966 revision of this group, 18 were placed in Anacamptodes, which he recognized as possibly representing the same genus as Iridopsis, and two in Iridopsis itself. Iridopsis cypressaria has apparently been confused with Glena plumosaria in the past, including by Forbes (1948), who included Anacamptodes plumosaria in his key -- referring to the type specimens of cypressaria -- but also mentioning other records outside the range of cypressaria and describing characters more consistent with G. plumosaria (see Rindge, 1966, for more information).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Grossbeck (1917); Rindge (1966); Schweitzer et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The smallest member of Iridopsis in our area. The body and ground color of the wings is pale tan or brownish gray, with the lines and spots marked with darker brown. The discal spots are usually a solid brown on both sets of wings, although with a trace of paler filling in some individuals; this contrasts with the more open, ringed spots found in other members of this genus. The antemedian is usually diffuse or absent (visible in most of our specimens) on the forewing and completely missing on the hindwing. A thin median shade runs from discal spot to the inner margin of the forewing in most of our specimens and the corresponding line on the hindwing is typically the most heavily marked feature on the wings (Rindge, 1966). The postmedian is also usually distinct, again more heavily marked on the hindwing. As in other members of this genus, the postmedian on the forewing is excurved at the end of the cell and somewhat undulating below that point, usually much less so than in other species of Iridopsis -- lacking a bulge at C2 -- but less straight than in Glena plumosaria.
Adult Structural Features: The antennae of the male are broadly pectinate, more so than other members of this genus (Rindge, 1966), but similar to those of Glena plumosaria. A dark ring may be present at the base of the first abdominal segment, but is not followed by a paler band and is Iridopsis pergracilis or some of the other members of Iridopsis. The sacculus of the males is distinctive (Rindge, 1966): shorter than in the other members of this genus and terminating in a broad point rather than a narrower hook. Females can also be diagnosed based on their genitalia (see key provided by Rindge, 1966).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: Apparently undescribed (Schweitzer et al., 2011)
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Apparently restricted to cypress-containing habitats in the Coastal Plain, including the Fall-line Sandhills, but not recorded in stands of cypress located above the fall-line along the Tar River
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)

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