Moths of North Carolina
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9 NC Records

Hypena appalachiensis (L.Butler, 1987) - Appalachian Bomolocha

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: ErebidaeSubfamily: HypeninaeP3 Number: 930569.00 MONA Number: 8447.10
Comments: One of 29 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Lafontaine and Schmidt, 2010). Fifteen species have been recorded in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Butler (1997, as Bomolocha appalachiensis)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A medium-sized Hypena, with strongly bicolored wings: the basal two thirds are dark, chocolate brown and the apical third -- beyond the postmedian -- is sandy gray. The antemedian line is dark and non-contrasting with the ground. The postmedian is also dark but outwardly bordered with a fine, pale line. The postmedian is also strongly waved, with two large bulges, one just beyond the cell and the other at the fold. The shape of the postmedian along with the bicolored wing pattern is distinctive among the members of this genus (Butler, 1987).
Forewing Length: 15-16 mm (Butler, 1987)
Adult Structural Features: The palps are long and projecting; curving upwards in the males and porrect in the females. Antennae are filiform (Butler, 1987). The reproductive structures of both sexes are illustrated by Butler; several features of the males are diagnostic.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Undescribed
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Endemic to the Southern Appalachians and probably occurring across the entire north-south range of mountains in western North Carolina
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
Flight Comments: Our records all come from the late spring and summer, from May to July
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our few records come from cove forests and montane alluvial forests. More records are needed, however, to accurately determine the full range of habitats used by this species
Larval Host Plants: Unknown - View
Observation Methods: Most of our few records were obtained through use of UV light traps
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: W3
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G3G4 S2S3
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Although relatively large and quite distinctive, very few records are known for this species throughout its range. Host plants and habitats are unknown and currently we cannot even speculate as to the causes of its apparent rarity.

 Photo Gallery for Hypena appalachiensis - Appalachian Bomolocha

Photos: 1

Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-07-23
Transylvania Co.
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