Moths of North Carolina

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Dasychira manto (Strecker, 1900) - Manto Tussock Moth

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Erebidae

Subfamily:
Lymantriinae

Tribe:
Orgyiini

P3 Number:
930159

MONA Number:
8307.00

Comments: One of 16 species in this genus that occur in North America, 10 of which have been recorded in North Carolina.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984)

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

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948); Ferguson (1978)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Both Forbes (1948) and Ferguson (1978) provide keys to the larvae (the larvae of manto are not included in Forbes' key but are described in the text).

Adult Markings: One of our more easily recognized species of Dasychira. Males are generally dark brown with rufous shading in the basal and subterminal areas. The median area may be shaded with greenish or whitish, sometimes making the forewing appear to be strongly mottled. The reniform is usually bounded on either side with a pale patch. Both the antemedian and postmedian are thick and black; the postmedian is sinuous and concave towards the inner margin. Females are larger but similarly marked.

Adult Structural Features: Dasychira species have two dorsal tufts on their abdomens, whereas Orgyia have just one. Adults lack mouthparts. Male genitalia differ from plagiata in the shape of the valve, uncus, and juxta (Ferguson, 1978). Females also differ from plagiata in the form of the anterior apophyses and in the degree of sclerotization of the ventral pouch posterior to the ostium (Ferguson, 1978).

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

Immatures and Development: Larvae are dark gray with reddish warts and a full complement of black hair pencils: two anteriorally and three posteriorally. A single row of black, plumose, clavate hairs runs along the sides of the thorax and abdomen (Ferguson, 1978). Larvae of plagiata are similar but have brown rather than black barbed hairs and have generally shorter, sparser hair pencils; shorter spines; and paler dorsal tufts (Ferguson, 1978).

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: Has a a single extended flight in the Coastal Plain, with two main peaks, extending from spring to early fall. Data are fewer in the other regions and cover a more limited portion of the growing season; two peaks in activity may exist in the Piedmont and the Low Mountains, but there may be only a single compressed flight in the High Mountains.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Records from the Coastal Plain come primarily from Coastal Fringe Evergreen Forests and riparian forests, both of which contain essentially only Loblolly Pines, and from Longleaf Pine Savannas and Flatwoods, where Longleaf Pine is likely to be a host plant. While these areas also contain at least some Pond Pine, we do not have any records from pure stands of Pond Pine Woodlands or other extensive areas of peatland habitats. In the Piedmont, our few records again come from low-lying areas where Loblolly is present, but in the Mountains, records also come from at least some drier uplands where pines other than Loblolly are likely to be the hosts.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are stenophagous, feeding on pines - probably on any of the southern species (Ferguson, 1978). Our records indicate that Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) may be the most extensively used species across the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, but that Longleaf Pine (P. palustris) and other species may also be used. - View

Observation Methods: Our records all come from 15 watt UV light traps. Adults do not feed, so do not come to bait or to flowers. Larvae are distinctive and should be looked for on low-growing trees and shrubs. The hair of all Lymantriinae larvae are possibly urticating, however, and should be handled with care (Ferguson, 1978).

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Pine Forests and Woodlands

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S4S5]

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

Comments: Occurs in a variety of pine-containing habitats in the state and probably feeds on Loblolly and other common species of pines. It thus appears to be secure.

Photo Gallery for Dasychira manto - Manto Tussock Moth

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-10-06 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-28 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2025-09-19 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-15 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-09 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-30 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-27 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-20 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-07-17 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-01 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-29 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-29 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-22 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-07 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-01 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-01 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-01 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-15 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-25 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-09-14 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-12 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-09-08 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-06 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-06 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-09-02 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-30 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-16 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-16 Wilson Co. Comment: