Moths of North Carolina
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Dysstroma Members:
25 NC Records

Dysstroma citrata (Linnaeus, 1761) - Dark Marbled Carpet Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: LarentiinaeTribe: HydriomeniniP3 Number: 910015.00 MONA Number: 7182.00
Comments: A large genus found worldwide (Europe, China, India, Japan, Argentina), usually found at high altitudes. Three species reach North Carolina.
Species Status: Samples from North Carolina have been studied and appear to be conspecific with most samples from the Eastern US. Out West, there may be additional sibling species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2001)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Unlikely to be confused with D. hersiliata which has the notch in the forewing band and is much smaller. Most confusion exists between this species and D. truncata. Overall, the maculation is much lighter in citrata than truncata. The subapical band lacks the distinct indentation toward the thorax, the hindwing is fairly uniformly fuscus, not two-toned as in D. truncata and not with a pearly white outer section; according to Forbes 1948), the postmedian on the hindwing is also retracted at the cell in truncata, but is straighter in citrata. Sexes are similar.
Wingspan: 28 mm (Forbes, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: Genitalia are very similar to those of D. truncata. In the male the valve shape is more compact, rounded and in the female the anterior section of the bursa is more compact, less drawn out as in D. truncata. According to Forbes (1948), the first the second segment of the palpus is much longer than the first, wheres the first two segments are subequal in truncata.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: Larvae are similar to those of D. truncata but have a more greenish anal plate (Wagner et al., 200). Apparently the egg overwinters in citrata but the larvae in truncata (Wagner et al., 2001).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Confined to higher areas in our mountains
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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