Moths of North Carolina
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246 NC Records

Episemasia solitaria (Walker, 1861) - No Common Name


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: EnnominaeTribe: CaberiniP3 Number: 911137.00 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 Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, 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.
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 and I. glabra or 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 Ilex opaca occasionally but more often with I. vomitoria, glabra and coriacea where it can be very common. We suspect I. opaca is not a major host as the leaves harden about the time this species is in full flight.
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: [GNR 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 - No common name

Photos: 27

Recorded by: David George, Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-02
Carteret Co.
Comment: collected from Yaupon by Bo Sullivan		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-03-21
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman; Cutler Newman on 2021-03-14
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-03-04
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2020-05-30
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-04-09
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-03-23
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-03-20
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-03-11
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-03-09
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-02-25
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Amanda Auxier on 2018-02-24
Pender Co.
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Recorded by: Amanda Auxier on 2017-04-22
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey on 2016-06-24
Washington Co.
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Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-16
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-10
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-07
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-05
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-01
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-01
Dare Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-01
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-01
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-04-28
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-04-22
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2012-05-06
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: T. DeSantis on 2010-05-07
Camden Co.
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Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2010-05-01
Warren Co.
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