Moths of North Carolina
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87 NC Records

Renia nemoralis Barnes & McDunnough, 1918 - Chocolate Renia Moth

Renia nemoralisRenia nemoralis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: ErebidaeSubfamily: HerminiinaeP3 Number: 930531 MONA Number: 8380.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The ground color is reddish brown, shaded with smoky gray that produces a somewhat purplish cast (Barnes and McDunnough, 1918). Males are typically more fuscous-brown and females reddish-brown to chocolate. The shading is usually smooth in appearances but some times strongly mottled (Forbes, 1954). The antemedian is usually even rather than waved, and slightly excurved. The postmedian is sharply dentate and the subterminal is irregular but usually continuous. A dark median shade may exist and the postmedian may be followed by a dark shade. The orbicular and reniform are normally pale with a dark outline but the reniform can be bicolored or a solid, contrasting black. Hindwings are dull gray with a fine postmedian line that may be bordered with luteous on one or both sides. Renia factiosalis is similar in pattern but smaller and lacks the red-brown coloration (Barnes and McDunnough, 1918). Other species, including the similar-sized R. adspergillus, have a more irregular or dentate antemedian line.
Wingspan: 25-30 mm (Forbes, 1954)
Adult Structural Features: The forewings have an oblique outer margin and can have a slightly falcate apex.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records are divided between open habitats -- primarily Longleaf Pine savannas and upland bogs -- and various types of forests, including both pine and hardwood dominated.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae feed on dead leaves and other organic material (Wagner et al., 2011) - View
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G4 S3S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Renia nemoralis - Chocolate Renia Moth

Photos: 18

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-06
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-01
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-09-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2021-09-11
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2021-09-10
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2021-09-10
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-09-07
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2021-09-06
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2021-09-06
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2021-06-15
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-26
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-23
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2019-08-25
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2017-12-12
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2017-09-13
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2017-09-10
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2017-06-18
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: Uncommon		Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2012-07-24
Ashe Co.
Comment: