Moths of North Carolina
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271 NC Records

Episemasia solitaria (Walker, 1861) - Solitary Ruddy Moth

Episemasia solitariaEpisemasia solitaria
view caption 		Episemasia solitariaEpisemasia solitaria
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Geometroidea		 Family:
Geometridae		Subfamily:
Ennominae		Tribe:
Caberini		P3 Number:
91a1124		 MONA Number:
6713.00
Comments: Two species are found in this North American genus, one occurs in North Carolina, the other in Texas
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina representing three phenotypes all have very similar sequences and are slightly different from specimens from Georgia. A specimen from Florida has been barcoded and appears to represent an undescribed species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Ferguson (2009)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Males are far less common in light trap samples than females and are more uniform in maculation. Females have numerous forms (see illustration above) but do not closely resemble other geometrid species. Reference to illustrations of the species should allow determination. It is most likely to be confused with small individuals of Ilexia intractata or with Cyclophora species but should always be easy to identify.
Wingspan: 22 mm (Forbes, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: Both male and female genitalia are distinct and can be used to confirm identification
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The caterpillar is easily identified by the swelling of the first segment of the abdomen. Maculation is variable but more samples are needed to determine whether it is a stage difference or polymorphism. The caterpillars feed straight through and pupate in the leaves and duff of the understory. The multiple maculation patterns have not been linked to any causes such as foodplant or habitat but interestingly the caterpillar patterns are also multiple.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Most of our records come from the Coastal Plain, but we also have records in the Piedmont and Mountains, including at high elevations.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Episemasia solitaria
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: There is one brood with adults beginning to fly when warm days appear and continuing through May.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The species is abundant in the open savanna and piney woods of the southern Coastal Plain. It also occurs in woodland habitat wherever Ilex opaca, I. vomitoria, I. glabra or I. coriacea are growing. A few specimens have come from western counties but the habitat association there is unknown. It is likely associated with habitats supporting Ilex opaca or I. ambigua.
Larval Host Plants: In the Coastal Plain this species is associated with American Holly (Ilex opaca) occasionally but more often with Yaupon Holly (I. vomitoria), Inkberry (I. glabra), and Large Gallberry (I. coriacea) where it can be very common. We suspect American Holly is not a major host as the leaves harden about the time this species is in full flight. In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded on Yaupon. - View
Observation Methods: Adults readily come to light and can be flushed in the daytime. They are not expected to respond to bait.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Holly Thickets
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S4S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species is common and widespread in the Coastal Plain and it occupies a wide range of shrubby and wooded habitats throughout the state. Although its distribution in the western half of the state still needs to be better understood, this species appears to be secure within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Episemasia solitaria - Solitary Ruddy Moth

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

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-30
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-03
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-26
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Miles Buddy on 2025-04-26
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Miles Buddy on 2025-04-26
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-25
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-25
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-25
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-24
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-20
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-19
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-19
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka, John Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-04-14
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-28
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-19
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-04-07
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-03
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-10
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-07
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2023-05-21
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2023-05-21
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-02
Carteret Co.
Comment: collected from Yaupon by Bo Sullivan		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2022-05-15
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-03-21
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2021-06-03
Brunswick Co.
Comment: