Moths of North Carolina
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Lytrosis Members:
36 NC Records

Lytrosis sinuosa Rindge, 1971 - Sinuous Lytrosis Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: EnnominaeTribe: AngeroniniP3 Number: 911146.00 MONA Number: 6721.00
Comments: This strictly North American genus contains four species all of which occur in North Carolina.
Species Status: Barcodes indicate a single species although only samples from coastal North Carolina and Georgia have been examined. The type locality is New Jersey and the specimen figured by Rindge (1971) has features (black hindwing medial band) in common with our L. heitzmanorum. Barcoding works well to separate the species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: One of three very similar species which have been confused frequently, but which can be distinguished by following the course of the postmedian line on the forewing. The three similar species can be subdivided by following the course of the postmedian line on the forewing. If it is straight, the species is L. unitaria, if it is wavy it is either L. sinuosa or L. heitzmanorum. Then check the hindwing and look for a rather uniform brown color without a broadened, black median line.
Adult Structural Features: As with the related genus Euchlaena, the genitalia rarely have clearcut differences. The genitalic features given in the review of the genus (Rindge, 1971) do not work well.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Life history unknown but Schweitzer et al. (2011) report diapausing larvae settle on small oak twigs and refuse leaf litter.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: At present, sinuosa appears to be an eastern Coastal Plain species whereas heitzmanorum is a Piedmont species.
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
Flight Comments: It may fly slightly later than the far more common L. unitaria.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: While uncommon, the species usually occurs with L. unitaria in most mesic oak hickory forests.
Larval Host Plants: Probably oak as in the other species of the genus but other foodplants have been reported for L. unitaria including Roseaceous plant species. - View
Observation Methods: Comes to lights readily but probably not to bait. Has a short flight period so without the new moon in its flight period, it can easily be missed. We have not seen females from North Carolina and they may be weakly phototaxic. Look for twig mimicking larvae in mid to late April.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Wet-Mesic Hardwood Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G4 S3S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Lytrosis sinuosa - Sinuous Lytrosis Moth

Photos: 5

Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2021-06-09
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2012-05-04
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. DeSantis on 2010-05-23
Camden Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: FKW on 2007-05-19
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: SPH on 1994-05-11
Dare Co.
Comment: