Moths of North Carolina
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164 NC Records

Bleptina inferior Grote, 1872 - Inferior Owlet Moth

Bleptina inferiorBleptina inferior
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Noctuoidea		 Family:
Erebidae		Subfamily:
Herminiinae		P3 Number:
930522		 MONA Number:
8371.00
Comments: One of seven species in this genus that occur in North America (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010); three have been recorded in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The ground color is a dull, dark grayish brown, with a violet sheen in fresh specimens (Forbes, 1954, described as Bleptina medialis). The antemedian and postmedian lines are obscure but the subterminal line is usually evident. The filling of this line is luteous, but less strongly contrasting than in caradrinalis. The course of this line is more strongly waved than in caradrinalis. The orbicular is usually minute and often has an orange filling. The reniform is usually dark but not contrasting.
Wingspan: 22 mm (Forbes, 1954)
Adult Structural Features: Male Bleptina have simple but ciliate antennae, unlike those of many Herminiinae, which are often pectinate or possess a knot with spines (Forbes, 1954).
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Bleptina inferior
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species appears to strongly favor dry to xeric habitats, including both woodlands and open barrens. We have a large number of records from maritime dune grasslands on the barrier islands and on xeric sandhills and bay rims in the interior of the Coastal Plain. In the Piedmont records come mainly from dry open woodlands growing on monadnocks and other dry, rocky woodlands. The same is true for our few records for this species from the Mountains. Records from wet to mesic habitats or from open, old field habitats, conversely, are nearly absent.
Larval Host Plants: Apparently not recorded but larvae presumably feed on dead leaves and other detritus. - View
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Dry-Xeric Glades and Barrens
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SNR [S4S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Bleptina inferior - Inferior Owlet Moth

Photos: 15

Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2025-06-01
Currituck Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-05-24
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-22
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-08-14
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-01
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-01
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-17
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Erich Hofmann, Jesse Anderson on 2023-05-22
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2023-05-21
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2022-08-19
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Becky Watkins on 2022-05-22
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-07-19
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ed Corey on 2013-06-04
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2012-08-18
Cabarrus Co.
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Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2010-08-23
Warren Co.
Comment: