Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
View PDFGeometridae Members:
Probole Members:
22 NC Records

Probole nepiasaria (Walker, 1860) - Heath Probole Moth

Probole nepiasariaProbole nepiasariaProbole nepiasaria
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: EnnominaeTribe: AnagoginiP3 Number: 91a1184 MONA Number: 6839.00
Comments: There has been a long history of disagreement among taxonomists as to how many species are actually represented in the amicaria complex (see Tomon, 2008, for a review). Based on a comparison of specimens across the range of this complex, Tomon found no differences in genitalia or other structural characters and found no separation into distinct lineages based on analysis of mitochondrial DNA. Furthermore, he found that offspring of females of one morphological type could produce offspring belonging to other forms. Apart from populations of "nepiasaria", no geographic or phenological correlations could be found to justify the treatment of the different forms as distinct species. We mainly concur with Tomon's results and treat the forms previously described as "alienaria", "nyssaria", and "amicaria" as belonging to a single species, with the name Probole amicaria having apparent taxonomic priority (see Tomon, 2008). However, there are still sufficient ecological and biogeographic data to indicate that Probole nepisiaria may be distinct, despite its apparent lack of genitalic or mDNA differences from P. amicaria. Consequently, we continue to treat nepiasaria separately, particularly since some disjunct populations are of possible conservation concern.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records all come from upland habitats with extensive thickets of heaths, including Mountain Laurel as well as Blueberries or Huckleberries. In the Blue Ridge, both dry and mesic habitats are used. Piedmont populations occur as disjuncts associated with heath thickets growing on steep north-facing slopes.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae feed on heaths, including azaleas and Mountain Laurel (Wagner et al., 2001) - View
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Cool Mesic Forests and Shrublands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2S4]
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Probole nepiasaria - Heath Probole Moth

Photos: 16

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Kevin Bischof on 2024-08-07
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-04
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-13
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2024-05-09
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-29
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George on 2023-06-16
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-26
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2021-05-17
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-06-14
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-05-18
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Hall and Ed Corey on 2016-09-10
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Hall and Ed Corey on 2016-09-10
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Doug Blatny / Jackie Nelson on 2012-05-21
Ashe Co.
Comment: