Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Geometridae Members:	Anticlea Members:	62 NC Records

Anticlea multiferata (Walker, 1863) - Many-lined Carpet

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Geometroidea

Family:
Geometridae

Subfamily:
Larentiinae

Tribe:
Hydriomenini

P3 Number:
91a0466

MONA Number:
7330.00

Comments: A genus of some 17 species described from Europe and the Americas. We have two species in the east which seem quite different from each other. The type species for the genus is from Austria and it seems very unlikely that the genus is valid phylogenetically.

Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have been sequenced and seem to match those from Georgia, Tennessee and Arizona. This cluster differs by more than 2% from those sequenced from Connecticut and across southern Canada. The type is from New York State and our populations may need a name should other distinguishing characteristics be found. These two clusters do not seem to be close to any other species, particularly other members of Anticlea. The application of multiferata is questionable, the generic placement of the species seems incorrect, and the life history is largely unknown, plenty of fertile ground for additional studies.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Adult Markings: The carpet-like pattern of continuous lines on both wings is reminiscent of moths in the genus Xanthorhoe but far more intense and there should be no confusion with other species.

Adult Structural Features: Distinct and unlike those of its congeneric species, A. vasiliata. The projections from the transitilla and the subcostal sclerotized streak are unusual for male genitalia and in the female genitalia the sclerotizations on the bursa are unique.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: This multibrooded species is found state wide though never frequently. It seems to be more common in the Mountains than in the Coastal Plain.

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 come from a variety of mainly wooded or forested sites, including maritime and estuarine hardwood forests, bottomland forests and riparian habitats, mesic hardwoods, cove forests, and northern hardwoods.

Larval Host Plants: Reported hosts include willowherb (Epilobium), knotweed (Polygonum), and Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) (Tietz, 1972; Heppner, 2007). The host plants used in North Carolina are unknown. - View

Observation Methods: Adults come to light but their scarcity may mean the response is weak. Occasionally they are flushed. Response to bait is unknown.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Hardwood Forests

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [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 Anticlea multiferata - Many-lined Carpet

33 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2025-05-15 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2025-05-01 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-04-05 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-05 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-27 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-27 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-07 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-07 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-04-19 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2023-04-17 Davidson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-12 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-04-11 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-04 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Julie Tuttle on 2022-04-29 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-04-25 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-04-22 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-15 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Bo Sullivan and Steve Hall on 2021-05-10 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-04-29 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-26 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-04-08 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-04-19 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-04-11 Onslow Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-04-11 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-05 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: T. DeSantis on 2016-04-16 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2016-04-15 Cabarrus Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2015-04-08 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-02 Dare Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-04-30 Dare Co. Comment: