Moths of North Carolina

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Hypercompe scribonia (Stoll, [1790]) - Giant Leopard Moth

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Erebidae

Subfamily:
Arctiinae

Tribe:
Arctiini

P3 Number:
930323

MONA Number:
8146.00

MONA Synonym:
Ecpantheria scribonia

Other Common Name:
Eyed Tiger Moth

Comments: One of six species in this genus that occurs in North America and the only one found in our area

Identification

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

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

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1960)

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

Adult Markings: The large white adults with black or blue ringed-shaped spots on the forewings and thorax and blue and orange colored abdomens are unmistakable.

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

Immatures and Development: Late instar larvae are large, and bristly black, with red spiracles and prominent red or brown inter-segmental rings (Forbes, 1960; Wagner, 2005); earlier instars may be colored dark brown and orange (Wagner, 2005). The bristles are stiffer than in Spilosoma species, some forms of which may be blackish and have red markings (e.g., S. congrua -- see Wagner, 2005). Grammia virgo also have large, black, bristly larvae with reddish spiracles but have tan setal warts rather than the dark brown warts found in Hypercompe (Wagner, 2005).

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

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Probably occurs statewide.

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
Immature 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: Possibly single-brooded in the Mountains, but may be continuously present during the growing season in the Coastal Plain; more data are needed to determine if there are distinct peaks in adult activity

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: We have records from a variety of habitats, including barrier island dunes and maritime forests; riparian and lakeshore hardwood forests; and dry Piedmont and Mountain ridges. We lack records, however, from Longleaf Pine savannas and flatwoods, as well as pocosins and pond pine woodlands, indicating that it may not be adapted to fire-maintained habitats.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a large variety of both herbaceous and woody plants (Forbes, 1960). Wagner (2005) specifically lists sunflower (Helianthus), plantain (Plantago), cherry (Prunus), oak (Quercus), willow (Salix), dandelion (Taraxacum), and violet (Viola). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded on ash (Fraxinus), plantain, elm (Ulmus), White Mulberry (Morus alba), Mexican Ground-cherry (Physalis philadelphica), American Hog-peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata), Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula), and dandelion. - View

Observation Methods: Appears to come only moderately to blacklights, mostly as single individuals. Wagner (2005) says that it is only the males that commonly show up at lights. Not recorded at bait.

Wikipedia

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: Although we are not certain about the abundance of this species and the adequacy of sampling methods, it occurs throughout the state and uses a wide variety of habitats, including residential areas, making it appear to be fairly secure.

Photo Gallery for Hypercompe scribonia - Giant Leopard Moth

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-27 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-25 Mitchell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-06-13 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Russel James on 2025-05-31 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Russel James on 2025-05-31 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Russel James on 2025-05-31 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Douglas Johnson III on 2025-05-28 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2025-05-24 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-15 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-04-30 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2025-04-27 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-15 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-09-03 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-07-11 Watauga Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-10 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Elizabeth Tingley on 2024-07-09 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Elizabeth Tingley on 2024-07-09 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-07 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-29 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-25 McDowell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-23 Yancey Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-20 Watauga Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-17 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-12 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-11 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-06 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-05-30 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Nicolle Hussion on 2024-05-27 Hoke Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-21 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-21 Brunswick Co. Comment: