Moths of North Carolina
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8 NC Records

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

Cycnia oregonensisCycnia oregonensis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: ErebidaeSubfamily: ArctiinaeTribe: ArctiiniP3 Number: 930405 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 Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, 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)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Covell (1984) states that there are two broods per year; our data only suggest that adults can be found throughout most of the growing season (at least at Hanging Rock State Park in the western Piedmont)
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records appear to come mainly from riparian areas, probably where there are openings supporting populations of Dogbane
Larval Host Plants: Feeds on dogbane, and is possibly monophagous on Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum). There are also BugGuide records for larvae on milkweed, but this requires confirmation. - View
Observation Methods: We have too few records to judge how well it comes to lights; probably does not come at all to bait.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Open Apocynaceous Forblands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S2S3
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Although apparently rare in North Carolina, the abundance and widespread occurrence of its host plant suggests that it may have been overlooked. More needs to be learned about its abundance, distribution, and habitat associations in North Carolina in order to estimate its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Cycnia oregonensis - Oregon Cycnia

Photos: 5

Recorded by: Rob Van Epps on 2022-08-25
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Leigh Anne Carter on 2016-04-11
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Doug Blatny / Jackie Nelson on 2013-08-20
Ashe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Doug Blatny / Jackie Nelson on 2013-08-20
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2012-07-24
Ashe Co.
Comment: