Moths of North Carolina
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29 NC Records

Hypagyrtis brendae R.L. Heitzman, 1975 - Brenda's Hypagyrtis

Hypagyrtis brendae
view caption 		Hypagyrtis brendaeHypagyrtis brendae
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Geometroidea		 Family:
Geometridae		Subfamily:
Ennominae		Tribe:
Bistonini		P3 Number:
91a1075		 MONA Number:
6657.00
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: This species was first discovered in North Carolina -- and presumably the entire East Coast -- in 1994 by S. Hall, who collected 210 individuals in a single light trap set out in a dense, mature stand of Atlantic White Cedars located on the mainland of Dare County (Fussell et al., 1995). Specimens from North Carolina have since been barcoded and are distinct from those from the mid-west, the type locality of the species and we suspect that North Carolina specimens are an undescribed species. The only other population of Hypagyrtis brendae that has been found in association with Atlantic White Cedars is located in the Florida Panhandle (Kons and Borth, 2007).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Heitzman (1974)Technical Description, Immature Stages: None are known.                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Size and coloration are similar to esther, with the subterminal area shaded with rusty brown and the medial and basal areas shaded with grayish-brown or violet-gray (Macaria transitaria is also very similar but has simple rather than pectinate antennae and a different wing shape). The median line is much more developed in brendae than in esther (where it is typically missing or obscure), forming a wide diffuse band on the hindwing in particular. On the forewing, the median line runs straight and obliquely across the wing, converging with the postmedian at the inner margin. Both of these lines meet the inner margin at an acute angle whereas in esther, the postmedian makes a perpendicular intersection with the inner margin (see Heitzman, 1974, for a description and illustration). In brendae, the dark line component of the post median line is also narrow, sharp and distinct. As in other Hypagyrtis, females are larger, longer-winged, and have a more scalloped outer margin on the hindwing.
Adult Structural Features: Antennae are pectinate in the males, simple in the females. In the male the median area of the gnathos is pinched so that it resembles a spoon, unlike in the other two species. In the female the signum is quadrate and the ostial area is larger and better sclerotized. These characters seem distinct but additional dissections are needed to be sure.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae and pupae do not appear to have been described. It seems likely that the eggs overwinter.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Restricted to stands of Atlantic White Cedar in the Outer Coastal Plain and Sandhills.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Hypagyrtis brendae
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge