Moths of North Carolina
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Stamnodes Members:
37 NC Records

Stamnodes gibbicostata (Walker, 1862) - Shiny Gray Carpet Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: LarentiinaeTribe: StamnodiniP3 Number: 910176.00 MONA Number: 7333.00
Comments: A large genus of some 62 species found in the New World, Europe and Asia (particularly Japan and China) but with a single species reaching our area. Placed in its own tribe, Stamnodini
Species Status: Five specimens from North Carolina have been sequenced and are almost identical. A single specimen from Tennessee has a slightly different sequence and then specimens from Maryland bar code at over a 2% difference. The type locality is Canada from which none have been sequenced so there is evidence for the existence of more than one species in the eastern US and no evidence which cluster is likely similar to the type. Our species may be undescribed.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF                                                                                 
Adult Markings: In our fauna, nothing resembles this species in maculation. Adults hold their wings over their backs like butterflies and the undersides, like species of Dysstroma and other species of our Geometrids that hold their wings vertically, is boldly marked as well.
Adult Structural Features: Examples of the male and female genitalia are figured but maculation should be sufficient to identify the species. It will be of interest to see genitalic preparations from Maryland and Canada. In the male there are large brush organs on the valves and in the female the anterior end of the bursa is well sclerotized; both are unusual characters.
Structural photos
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
Flight Comments: There is one major flight period in August-September, an odd time for a single brooded Geometrid to emerge. However, we have seen North Carolina specimens from mid-July and October so there may be multiple broods, although only the late summer one is strong. Forbes (1948) states that there are April records in the southern part of the range but we have taken none at that time.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come from cove forests and northern hardwoods.
Larval Host Plants: So far we have not been able to associate it with any specific foodplants or specialized habitats. The 30 or so species found in the western US feed on an array of trees and shrubs.
Observation Methods: Comes well to lights, but is not expected to be attracted to baits
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Montane Mesic Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G4 S2S3
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Much remains to be discovered about this species.

 Photo Gallery for Stamnodes gibbicostata - Shiny Gray Carpet Moth

Photos: 28

Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-10-26
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-10-25
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-10-24
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-10-22
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-10-12
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-10-06
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-10-04
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-10-02
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-26
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-20
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-13
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-12
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-09
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-06
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-05
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-02
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-30
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-30
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-29
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-29
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-29
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2020-10-24
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2020-09-27
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2020-09-26
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2020-09-26
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Merrill Lynch on 2015-09-07
Watauga Co.
Comment: