Moths of North Carolina
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285 NC Records

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

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: ErebidaeSubfamily: ArctiinaeTribe: ArctiiniP3 Number: 930299.00 MONA Number: 8121.00 MONA Synonym: Holomelina aurantiaca
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 Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical 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)
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)

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