Moths of North Carolina
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28 NC Records

Eubaphe meridiana (Slosson, 1889) - Little Beggar Moth

Eubaphe meridianaEubaphe meridiana
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: LarentiinaeTribe: EuduliniP3 Number: 91a0131 MONA Number: 7441.00
Comments: One of six species in this genus that occur in North America, two of which have been recorded in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948, as Eudule meridiana)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A small, delicate, yellow Geometrid with dusky spots. Similar but smaller than the more common Eubaphe mendica (wingspan = 30mm). E. meridiana has smaller, more distinct spots, with the submarginal spot absent. The ground color is also deeper yellow and shaded with orange (Forbes, 1948).
Wingspan: 20-25 mm
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Apparently not described.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Appears to be restricted to the southern Coastal Plain in North Carolina, although its range extends as far north as Long Island (Forbes, 1948).
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: Our records suggest that there may be three flight periods, in spring, summer, and fall.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: All of our records come from Longleaf Pine habitats, or from sites located close to such habitats. Nearly all come from wet savannas or sandhill seeps.
Larval Host Plants: Apparently not recorded. Its close relative, Eubaphe mendica, has been recorded to feed on both violets and maple (Forbes, 1948, citing McDunnough for the record on maple). - View
Observation Methods: Appears to come moderately well to blacklights.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Wet, Sandy, Fire-maintained Herblands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: SR
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G4 S2S3
State Protection: Listed as Significantly Rare by the Natural Heritage Program. That designation does not confer any legal protection, however, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to be strongly associated with wet Longleaf Pine habitats in North Carolina, primarily savannas but also sandhill seeps. Although there is still much to be learned about its host plants and other aspects of its life history, its tie to a imperiled habitat type indicates that it should be considered to be of significant conservation concern.

 Photo Gallery for Eubaphe meridiana - Little Beggar Moth

Photos: 5

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-08
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-08
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ed Corey on 2020-07-21
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey on 2012-09-23
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: SPH on 2002-09-18
Cumberland Co.
Comment: Wingspan = 1.8 cm; forewing length = 1.0 cm.