Moths of North Carolina
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Hypagyrtis Members:
854 NC Records

Hypagyrtis unipunctata (Haworth, 1809) - One-spotted Variant Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: EnnominaeTribe: BistoniniP3 Number: 911075.00 MONA Number: 6654.00
Comments: This New World genus contains 7 species, 1 neotropical and 6 from North America, three of which occur in North Carolina (piniata may also be possibly present in the mountains -- Wagner et al., 2001). This genus shows a large range of variation, however, and its taxonomy still appears to be unsettled. Forbes (1948) stated that "the species or forms of this genus are completely confused and show no satisfactory differences in genitalia -- they may be merely races and strains, but breeding from known foods will be needed to make sure."
Species Status: Numerous specimens from North Carolina have been examined and there is great variability throughout the range of the species in the Eastern US. Another putative species H. piniata, which seems to replace unipunctata in New England, barcodes with unipunctata in most barcode clusters. There may well be multiple species but given the similarity of the genitalia, it is going to be difficult to isolate and characterize additional species. Whether H. piniata is a good species and whether it ranges into North Carolina remain open questions. Much work is needed before clarity is attained.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner et al. (2001); Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a highly variable species. Forbes (1948) describes six different species that are now all included within unipunctata (Hodges et al., 1983). He describes most of these forms as having the ground color of the wings consisting of buff, yellow-brown, or luteous. In the case of triplipunctaria, the ground color is white or gray but dusted with black, producing a salt-and-pepper effect similar to that found in Hypgyrtis piniata, but differing in that its subterminal spot is triple rather than single. None show the even fuscous coloration of Hypagyrtis esther (or of brendae, which was not described until 1973), and the subterminal area is described as yellowish-brown rather than reddish as in esther. Sexes are dimorphic, with the females being larger, longer-winged, and having a more scalloped outer margin on the hindwing. Females can be extremely difficult to place for there is a form that looks very much like the females of H. esther.
Adult Structural Features: There do not seem to be distinct characters in the male; in the female the shape of the signum may be diagnostic but additional samples are needed.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae vary in color and have a subdued pattern; most have a diffuse pale patch on A5 (see Wagner, 2005 for details).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Occurs statewide, including the Barrier Islands and High Mountains.
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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