Moths of North Carolina

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Virbia aurantiaca (Hübner, [1831]) - Orange Virbia

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Erebidae

Subfamily:
Arctiinae

Tribe:
Arctiini

P3 Number:
930336.57

MONA Number:
8121.00

MONA Synonym:
Holomelina aurantiaca

Other Common Name:
Orange Holomelina

Comments: One of fourteen species in North America, five of which occur in North Carolina

Identification

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

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

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1960); Zaspel et al. (2008)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1960); Wagner (2005)

Adult Markings: Virbia aurantiaca is one of several small brownish- or yellowish-orange Virbias, all of which may be difficult to distinguish, particularly based on photographs alone; this is especially true for shots showing just the forewings. The forewings are generally yellowish-brown, with a darker discal spot and sub-median band sometimes apparent. The hindwings are a bright orange or pink in both sexes, differing from opella in this respect, in which the males typically have dark hindwings. There is usually a dark discal spot and a fairly wide black band running along the outer margin. These blackish areas are more sharply defined and less irregular than in females of opella. Males of rubicundaria, conversely, lack dark markings on the hindwing and are generally smaller and brighter than in aurantiaca; dissection may be needed, however, to distinguish pale, unmarked forms of male aurantiaca from rubicundaria (see Forbes, 1960; and Zaspel et al., 2008 for illustrations and descriptions). Female aurantiaca and rubicundaria are more likely be confused (Zaspel et al., 2008), since both have dark markings on the hindwing; female rubicundaria are again generally smaller and brighter pinkish-orange than aurantiaca.

Forewing Length: 10 mm, males, 9.7 mm, females (Zaspel et al., 2008)

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].

Immatures and Development: Forbes (1960) describes one larvae as dark with a conspicuous broad, pale dorsal stripe and with blackish spines. Wagner (2005) illustrates a grayish larva with a pale dorsal stripe and with at least some white spines mixed in with darker ones. Given the lack of information on Virbia larvae, rearing to adulthood is needed to confirm their identities.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Probably occurs statewide except possibly the High Mountains and barrier islands

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: Appears to have three fairly distinct flights

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Found in most open and forested habitats in the state except from barrier islands and the High Mountans. We have records from peatlands; Longleaf Pine savannas, flatwoods, sandhills, and sandhill seeps; floodplain forests; and dry ridges.

Larval Host Plants: Host plant use has apparently not been observed in the wild (Zaspel et al., 2008), but the species probably feeds on low forbs, as reported for other members of this genus (see Forbes, 1960 and Wagner, 2005). - View

Observation Methods: Comes moderately well to blacklights, usually in small numbers bt with up to 45 collected in a single trap. Adults do not feed, so do not come to bait. Most Virbias can be flushed from their habitats during the day, indicating they are at least partially diurnal (Zaspel et al., 2008)

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Mixed Habitats

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S5]

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

Comments: Given its abundance, widespread distribution, and generalized habitat use, this species appears to be secure in the state.

Photo Gallery for Virbia aurantiaca - Orange Virbia

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-27 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-27 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-14 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-23 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-23 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-09-21 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-09-21 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2024-09-21 Cabarrus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-03 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-09 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-09 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-06 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2024-06-20 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-05-13 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-05-13 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Andrew W. Jones on 2023-09-20 Polk Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-09-10 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-09-10 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2023-09-03 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2023-09-02 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2023-08-25 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-08-18 Caswell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George on 2023-08-15 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-07-04 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2023-06-18 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2023-06-18 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-05-17 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Steve Hall, Bo Sullivan, Jim Petranka on 2022-07-24 Moore Co. Comment: