Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Geometridae Members:	Heterophleps Members:	130 NC Records

Heterophleps triguttaria Herrich-Schäffer, [1854] - Three-spotted Fillip

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Geometroidea

Family:
Geometridae

Subfamily:
Larentiinae

Tribe:
Lobophorini

P3 Number:
91a0120

MONA Number:
7647.00

Comments: A large genus with most members from India and China. Three species occur in the USA and two in North Carolina. Our species appear to be congeneric with some of the species from China but other species from China may be misplaced.

Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina are similar to those from elsewhere in its range and no heterogeneity has been observed.

Identification

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

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

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2001)

Adult Markings: A moderately small Geometrid with disproportionately large forewings. The three black costal markings on a field of yellow-green are diagnostic.

Adult Structural Features: Genitalia are similar to other Laurentine Geometrids but diagnostic for our species.

Structural photos

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

Immatures and Development: Larvae are pale green and somewhat nondescript (see Wagner et al., 2001, for an illustration and a detailed description). When disturbed the larvae form a tight coil and are known to hurl their frass pellets.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Found throughout the state except at the highest elevations.

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: Probably single brooded at moderate to high elevations and multiple brooded in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Over most of the state, this species is associated with riparian forests and freshwater marshes, habitats where clearweed is common (Weakley, 2015). It also is associated with riparian habitats in the Mountains but also occurs in Rich Cove Forests and other mesic stands of hardwood forest located up on slopes; the host plants used in those habitats have not been determined, but could include other species of nettles.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are apparently specialists on clearweed (Pilea) (Wagner et al., 2001). Earlier reports that maples are used were questioned by Wagner et al., who failed to rear them on maples under artificial rearing conditions. - View

Observation Methods: Adults have been recorded in light traps and are unlikely to be attracted to bait. Occasionally seen when walking through wet areas.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Broadleaf Herbaceous Mires

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S4S5

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: Although a host plant specialist and at least something of a habitat specialist, this species is currently widespread in riparian habitats across the state and mesic hardwoods in the Mountains.

Photo Gallery for Heterophleps triguttaria - Three-spotted Fillip

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

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Mark Basinger on 2025-05-18 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-05 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2024-07-14 Macon Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-08 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-26 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin on 2024-06-22 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Owen McConnell and Simpson Eason on 2024-06-19 Graham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Regina Patton on 2024-06-11 Jackson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Regina Patton on 2024-06-07 Jackson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-29 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-22 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-05-13 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-13 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-10 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-10 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-05-08 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Hall, David George, and David Bradley on 2024-05-07 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-04-24 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-20 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Andrew W. Jones on 2023-09-12 Polk Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-08-21 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-08-15 Graham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin and Bo Sullivan on 2023-08-08 Wilkes Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30 Swain Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-03 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2023-04-06 Cabarrus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-08-25 Graham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-08-24 Clay Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-15 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-05-25 Chatham Co. Comment: