Moths of North Carolina
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20 NC Records

Zale metatoides McDunnough, 1943 - Washed-out Zale


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: ErebidaeSubfamily: ErebinaeTribe: OphiusiniP3 Number: 931042.00 MONA Number: 8707.00
Comments: One of 39 species in this genus that occur north of Mexico, 23 of which have been recorded in North Carolina
Species Status: Belongs to a group of pine-feeding Zales, all of which possess a sharp, outward-pointing tooth on the antemedian line where the radial vein crosses.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: McDunnough (1943); Forbes (1954); Rings et al. (1992)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1954); Wagner (2005); Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Metatoides is similar in color but slightly darker than metata, confusa, and helata, all of which also have obscure medial lines. Helata can usually be distinguished by the brown shades that narrowly border its antemedian and postmedian lines; the brown shades in metatoides before the antemedial line extend all the way to the basal line. Metata and confusa are usually paler and less contrastingly patterned than either metatoides or helata. In many cases, dissection is needed to confirm the identities of these species.
Adult Structural Features: Both male and female genitalia are described and illustrated by McDunnough (1943); male structures are also included in a key and illustrated by Forbes (1954). Specimens of females can be brushed to expose the genital plate, which has large "ear-like" flanges that extend from the sides and the suture that runs down the center of the plate is relatively straight and axially oriented (McDunnough, 1943).
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: Larvae of metatoides are also similar to those of the other pine-feeding Zales, with identification generally requiring them to be reared to the adult stage (Wagner, et al., 2011).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Probably occurs across the entire state with the possible exception of the barrier islands and high mountains
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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