Moths of North Carolina
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165 NC Records

Dasychira manto (Strecker, 1900) - Manto Tussock Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: ErebidaeSubfamily: LymantriinaeTribe: OrgyiiniP3 Number: 930159.00 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 Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIFTechnical 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)

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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: Stenophagous, feeding on pines -- probably on any of the southern species (Ferguson, 1978). Our records indicate that Loblolly Pine may be the most extensively used species across the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, but that Longleaf and other species may also be used.
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 [S5]
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

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

Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, Steve Hall, and Bo Sullivan. on 2022-09-26
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-09-24
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2022-08-28
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-26
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-10
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-05-28
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-05-28
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-09-26
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-09-13
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-09-07
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2021-08-09
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2021-08-01
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-07-20
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-15
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-06-30
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-06-03
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-06-01
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-05-11
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-05-11
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2020-10-03
Sampson Co.
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Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2020-10-03
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-09-05
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-20
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-07-06
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-06-22
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-05-30
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-08-24
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-05-26
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-09-04
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2018-08-29
Buncombe Co.
Comment: