Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGeometridae Members:
Lytrosis Members:
37 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)

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