Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFErebidae Members: Zale Members: 16 NC Records

Zale curema (Smith, 1908) - Black-eyed Zale

Zale curema
view caption 		Zale curema
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Noctuoidea		 Family:
Erebidae		Subfamily:
Erebinae		Tribe:
Ophiusini		P3 Number:
931044		 MONA Number:
8709.00		 Other Common Name:
Northeastern Pine Zale
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: (Not in either field guide)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: McDunnough (1943); Forbes (1954); Rings et al. (1992)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner (2005); Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Curema is a small species, similar in size and pattern to metatoides, metata, and confusa but is a darker, smoky purplish brown. The reniform is typically prominent and dark brown to black and like other members of this group, it has a patch of contrasting yellow or orange following the reniform (McDunnough, 1943).
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 smaller "ear-like" flanges than those of metatoides extending from the sides. The suture that runs down the center of the plate is similarly straight and axially oriented and there is a small notch located at the cephalic margin of the plate (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 are distinctively green with narrow white stripes (Wagner et al., 2011).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Possibly will turn up in most areas of the state, but currently not enough is known about its host plants and habitats to be sure
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Zale curemaAlamance 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.
Flight Comments: Probably has just a single flight in late spring
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come from both floodplain and dry ridge habitats.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae are probably stenophagous, feeding only on hard pines like most of the pine-feeding Zale group. Wagner et al. (2011) specifically mention Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), which may be used in the Mountains. That species does not occur, however, in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain where we also have records for Z. curema. In those areas, Pond Pine (P. serotina) or Loblolly Pine (P. taeda) are possibilities. - View
Observation Methods: May come poorly to lights, which could explain the scarcity of records for what should be a fairly common species. Probably comes well to bait, like other members of this genus.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Pine Forests and Woodlands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S2S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands
Comments: Although seemingly an uncommon species in North Carolina, too little is known about the distribution and habitat affinities of metata to estimate its conservation needs

 Photo Gallery for Zale curema - Black-eyed Zale

Photos: 10
Zale curemaRecorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-05-13
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Zale curemaRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-06
Durham Co.
Comment:
Zale curemaRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-04-17
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Zale curemaRecorded by: Darryl Willis on 2015-08-15
Cabarrus Co.
Comment:
Zale curemaRecorded by: Stephen Hall on 2015-06-28
Orange Co.
Comment: Female; identity confirmed by dissection; wingspan = 3.5 cm		Zale curemaRecorded by: Stephen Hall on 2015-06-12
Orange Co.
Comment: Female; confirmed by dissection. Wingspan = 3.9 cm; forewing length = 2.0 cm
Zale curemaRecorded by: JB Sullivan on 2013-05-09
Rutherford Co.
Comment: Wingspan = 3.6 cm		Zale curemaRecorded by: JB Sullivan on 2013-05-08
Rutherford Co.
Comment: Wingspan = 3.5 cm
Zale curemaRecorded by: Darryl Willis on 2013-04-22
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Zale curemaRecorded by: JB Sullivan on 2008-06-06
Craven Co.
Comment: Wingspan = 3.4 cm