Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFErebidae Members: Rivula Members: 17 NC Records

Rivula stepheni Sullivan, 2009 - Stephen's Spotted Grass Moth

Rivula stepheniRivula stepheni
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Noctuoidea		 Family:
Erebidae		Subfamily:
Rivulinae		P3 Number:
930593		 MONA Number:
8404.20
Comments: One of three species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010), two of which have been recorded in North Carolina
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Sullivan (2009)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A small, pale, subtly marked Grass Moth. According to Sullivan (2009), the ground color is ivory white, although in fresh specimens it may be more of a cream or pale yellow. There may be a dusting of darker brown scales but the most conspicuous marks are a pair of blackish spots in the reniform position, which may be surrounded by a grayish shade, at least in fresh specimens. A dark spot in the basal area of the forewing is diagnostic and there is also a row of dark, terminal spots at the end of each vein (Sullivan, 2009). Although not mentioned by Sullivan, there may also be a pair of dark spot in the orbicular position that are visible in at least some fresh specimens. The antemedian and postmedian are both diffuse and inconspicuous. The antemedian is rounded but the postmedian is sinuous, beginning at the costa before the pair of reniform spots, curving around them and meeting the inner margin slightly anterior to the reniform. The hindwings are paler than the forewings and unmarked, although there may be a dusky shade towards the outer margin. Rivula propinqualis is similar in size, shape, and ground color but has a darker patch covering the two reniform spots and has a well-defined, straight postmedian.
Forewing Length: 8.2-10.2 mm (Sulivan, 2009)
Adult Structural Features: Male and female reproductive structures are described and illustrated by Sullivan (2009) and appear to be distinctive
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Undescribed
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This species has now been found in the Low Mountains as well as the Coastal Plain; there is at least some possibility, therefore, that it can turn up more widely across the state, at least within suitable habitats
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Rivula stepheniAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New%20Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge 		Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.