Moths of North Carolina
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532 NC Records

Ilexia intractata (Walker, [1863]) - Black-dotted Ruddy Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: EnnominaeTribe: CaberiniP3 Number: 911132.00 MONA Number: 6711.00 MONA Synonym: Thysanopyga intractata
Comments: The genus Ilexia was created by Ferguson (2009) for the single species, I. intractata, which had previous been placed in Thysanopyga. It is a common member of the North Carolina fauna.
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have been barare similar to those from elsewhere in its range, with no significant heterogeneity observed
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984; as Thysanopyga intractata); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Ferguson (2009)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2001)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A medium-small reddish Geometrid with variable dark and pale markings. The species is distinct and should be readily identified from illustrations. It might initially be confused with Episemasia but that species is distinctly smaller, noticeably different in maculation and on the wing only in the spring.
Wingspan: 25 mm (Forbes, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: Males have bipectinate antennae and are smaller than females. The reproductive structures of both sexes are distinctive and can be used to verify identification
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Caterpillars are green with few distinguishing characters but have been the most common purely green caterpillars we have found on Ilex species.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Found statewide
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
Immature 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: The species is active year long with adults being among the last species on the wing in the winter and first in the spring. Caterpillars are available throughout the year.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Near members of the genus Ilex virtually anywhere they are growing. We have records from maritime scrub habitats, peatlands, Longleaf Pine woodlands, floodplains, and dry ridges.
Larval Host Plants: We have found caterpillars commonly on Ilex opaca and I. vomitoria. They are probably present on other Ilex species as well. - View
Observation Methods: Adults are one of the most common species in light trap catches throughout the year in the Coastal Plain. Occasionally they can be flushed during the day but we have not seen them at bait. The caterpillars can be beat from the foodplants on any warm day (over 50 degrees) in the winter as well as all year long. They are very difficult to find once the leaves of I. opaca harden but persist on the other Ilex species.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Holly Thickets
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species is as widespread and abundant as are the hollies that it feeds upon. It appears to be quite secure within the state

 Photo Gallery for Ilexia intractata - Black-dotted Ruddy Moth

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

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-04-10
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-07
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-01
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-01
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-01
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-01
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, David George on 2024-03-31
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-30
Rowan Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-23
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-16
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Becky Watkins on 2024-03-14
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-10
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-10
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-03-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-07
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-07
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2024-03-07
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2024-03-03
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-20
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-11-16
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-12
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-12
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-26
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-26
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-17
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2023-10-11
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-10
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-08
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-10-03
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-09-26
Wake Co.
Comment: