Moths of North Carolina
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55 NC Records

Cladara atroliturata (Walker, [1863]) - Scribbler Moth

Cladara atroliturataCladara atroliturataCladara atroliturataCladara atroliturata
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: LarentiinaeTribe: LobophoriniP3 Number: 91a0126 MONA Number: 7639.00
Comments: The genus currently includes four species found in North America, three of which occur in North Carolina.
Species Status: Barcodes indicate a single species throughout its range.
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: Wagner et al. (2001)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This beautiful species is on the wing in the early spring together with the two other members of the genus. Its green and white color ground color and bold black lines makes it unmistakeable but the color fades quickly in pinned specimens.
Adult Structural Features: Unlike the other two members of the genus, this species lacks the hair pencil on the hind tibia of the male. Its valve differs by having the sclerotized anal edge of the valva rounded (pointed in the other two species). The aedeagus has a cluster of cornuti which are absent in the other species. In the female the ductus and corpus bursae are more tube-like than bag-like, there are two rows of spines in the ductus bursae and two distinct signa in the corpus bursae, quite unlike the other two species.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae are green often with narrow yellow lines encircling the segments. It requires tender new growth and develops rapidly so most of the year is spent in the pupal stage.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: No confirmed records in North Carolina outside the 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)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: One brood. The flight season is 3-4 weeks at a single location but by changing altitude it can be found for a longer period.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records all come from montane hardwood forests, including Cove Forests and Northern Hardwoods.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae are reportedly polyphagous, feeding on alder, birch, maple, oak and willow (Wagner et al., 2001). - View
Observation Methods: The species comes readily to lights but not to baits.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Montane Mesic Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: In general this is the least abundant of the three species although at higher altitudes it can be quite common.

 Photo Gallery for Cladara atroliturata - Scribbler Moth

Photos: 20

Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-04-29
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-04-01
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-03-31
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-03-31
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-28
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-03-30
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-05-21
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-04-04
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Patrick, Megan, and Connor Blythe on 2020-05-01
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-04-23
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Heather Burditt on 2020-04-04
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner & Vin Stanton on 2019-04-13
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-04-14
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: T. Nergart on 2015-04-15
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. Nergart on 2015-04-14
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: T. Nergart on 2015-03-24
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. Nergart on 2015-03-22
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: T. Nergart, ID by S. Hall. on 2015-03-21
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2014-04-14
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2012-03-15
Transylvania Co.
Comment: