Moths of North Carolina
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Cycnia Members:
8 NC Records

Cycnia oregonensis (Stretch, [1874]) - Oregon Cycnia Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: ErebidaeSubfamily: ArctiinaeTribe: ArctiiniP3 Number: 930405.00 MONA Number: 8231.00
Comments: This is one of three species in this genus that occur in North America, all of which have been recorded in North Carolina. Cycnia inopinatus is a previously described species that has been recorded from North Carolina, but was synonymized with C. collaris based on comparison of genitalic structures and DNA barcode variation (Pohl and Nanz, 2023).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1960)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1960); Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Similar in size and shape to Cycnia tenera, but the forewings are usually off-white rather than pure white, possess contrastringly white veins, and lack the yellow stripe along the costa. Head and abdomen are yellow, with a row of black spots running down the center of the abdomen. Specimens in good shape should usually be identifiable from a good quality photograph.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: Larvae are fluffy gray and without pencils; the setae, however, are stiffer than in C. tenera and end abruptly (Forbes, 1960). Wagner (2005) states that the setae are also blond rather than gray.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The range of this species is mainly to the west and north of North Carolina; our populations appear to be confined to the northern Mountains and to isolated monadnocks in the northwestern Piedmont
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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