Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGeometridae Members: Dysstroma Members: 41 NC Records

Dysstroma hersiliata (Guenée, [1858]) - Orange-barred Carpet

Dysstroma hersiliataDysstroma hersiliata
view caption 		Dysstroma hersiliata
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Geometroidea		 Family:
Geometridae		Subfamily:
Larentiinae		Tribe:
Hydriomenini		P3 Number:
91a0363		 MONA Number:
7189.00
Comments: A large genus found worldwide (Europe, China, India, Japan, Argentina) usually at high altitudes. Three species reach North Carolina.
Species Status: Samples from North Carolina have been barcoded and appear to be conspecific with most samples from the eastern US. Out West, there may be additional sibling species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner et al. (2001)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Although highly variable in forewing pattern, this is the easy member of the genus to identify. It is smaller than the other two species, has very short palpi, and the subapical band has a very sharp, long indentation toward the thorax; in comparison, there is only a very short indentation in D. truncata and none in D. citrata. Sexes are similar. Perches with wings open or closed.
Wingspan: 25 mm (Forbs, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: Our three species have quite similar genitalia but those of D. hersiliata are the most distinct. The patch of cornuti in the aedeagus is much reduced, in females the sclerotized area of the anterior bursa is much more extensive and the accessory bursa is difficult to differentiate.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae are lime green, with a pair of cream subdorsal stripes and a distinctive spinulose integument (Forbes, 1948; Wagner et al., 2001). Overwinters in the egg stage.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Restricted to higher altitudes and becoming quite common around 4,000 ft and extending to the tops of most mountains
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Dysstroma hersiliataAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New%20Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge 		Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Flight Comments: There may simply be one extended brood but the flight period is quite long
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: All of our records come from high elevation (>3,000 ft) stands of mesic forest, including Rich Cove Forests, Northern Hardwoods, and Spruce-fir Forests, all habitats where our species of Ribes occur.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae appear to feed primarily or exclusively on currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.) (Forbes, 1948; Wagner et al., 2001). Which of the three species in that genus that occur in North Carolina are favored is unknown. - View
Observation Methods: Adults swarm at lights, response to bait unrecorded but likely negative.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Gooseberry Thickets
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: SR
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S2S3
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Although locally abundant at some sites, this species is restricted to high elevations in the mountains, where it appears to be a strong specialist in terms of both host plants and associations with mesic forests. As such, it is likely to be vulnerable to the effects of global climate change.

 Photo Gallery for Dysstroma hersiliata - Orange-barred Carpet

Photos: 8
Dysstroma hersiliataRecorded by: Owen McConnell and Simpson Eason on 2024-06-20
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Dysstroma hersiliataRecorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Dysstroma hersiliataRecorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-19
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Dysstroma hersiliataRecorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-05-26
Graham Co.
Comment:
Dysstroma hersiliataRecorded by: Melissa McGaw, David George, Ed Corey on 2023-06-17
Avery Co.
Comment: Photo by M. McGaw		Dysstroma hersiliataRecorded by: David George on 2023-06-16
Avery Co.
Comment:
Dysstroma hersiliataRecorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-29
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Dysstroma hersiliataRecorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf on 2016-06-27
Yancey Co.
Comment: