Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
View PDFGeometridae Members:
Melanolophia Members:
279 NC Records

Melanolophia signataria (Walker, 1860) - Signate Melanolophia

Melanolophia signatariaMelanolophia signatariaMelanolophia signataria
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Geometroidea		 Family:
Geometridae		Subfamily:
Ennominae		Tribe:
Melanolophiini		P3 Number:
91a1041		 MONA Number:
6621.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A medium-sized, brown Geometrid that is very similar to Melanolophia canadaria. "Usually distinguished by its smoother look, more complete and less wavy markings and brown tint" (Forbes, 1948). The postmedian is continuous and not waved, slanting in to the inner margin. During the spring, when both species fly at the same time, dissection is often needed to distinguish them.
Wingspan: 30-35 mm (Forbes, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: The right and left processes of the valves in the male are strongly asymmetric in this species, with the left process much longer than the right and having a straight rather than curved tip. In M. canadaria, the two processes are similar in length and appearance (illustrated in Rindge, 1964). Female M. signataria can be recognized by the very long, slender, well-sclerotized, rod-like lamella postvaginalis (illustrated in Rindge).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Melanolophia signataria
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: Our records come from a wide range of forests, from maritime forests to northern hardwoods.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae have been recorded on a wide range of tree species, including both conifers and hardwoods. Covell (1984) specifically lists fir (Abies), maple (Acer), alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), larch (Larix), spruce (Picea), poplar (Populus), oak (Quercus), and elm (Ulmus). - View
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S3S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Melanolophia signataria - Signate Melanolophia

Photos: 19

Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-05-09
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn on 2023-03-27
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-03-23
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2023-03-05
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2022-06-17
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2022-04-29
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-04-09
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2016-04-12
Hoke Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2015-04-17
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.Phillips on 2015-04-05
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. Nergart, ID by T. Desantis on 2015-04-04
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2015-03-24
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2014-12-31
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Doug Blatny / Jackie Nelson on 2011-04-30
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. DeSantis on 2011-03-20
Camden Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: E. Corey and S. Bland on 2007-03-24
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2005-04-20
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2005-03-30
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: SPH on 1995-04-26
Onslow Co.
Comment: Confirmed by dissection