Moths of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

View PDF	Noctuidae Members:	Lithacodia Members:	6 NC Records
Lithacodia new species 1 (Undescribed) - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Superfamily: Noctuoidea	Family: Noctuidae	Subfamily: Eustrotiinae	P3 Number: 0.00	MONA Number: 9051.01
Comments: Information based primarily on molecular data and/or genitalia indicate that the genus that this species currently is assigned to is misapplied, but the correct genus to which it should be assigned has not been determined by experts. The genus name is sometimes placed in quotation marks (e.g., "Lithacodia” musta) to indicate the misapplied name.
Species Status: This species was identified as an new, undescribed species as long ago as the early 1990s. J.B. Sullivan submitted 5 specimens he collected in Craven County to BOLD to be bar-coded, with two additional specimens submitted from Florida and one from Louisiana. These are all currently listed as Lithacodia new sp. 1 by BOLD, which we follow here. Sullivan's records are included in this account along with others vetted by him. A second species, identified in BOLD as Lithacodia new species 3, is based on four additional specimens collected by JBS. These are currently known only from NC and are genetically well separated from sp. 1 based on bar-code analysis. None of these species are currently included in the Moth Photographers Group website.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:	Online Resources:
Adult Markings: This is a small brownish species. The forewings are shaded with tan to reddish brown in the antemedian and postmedian areas, with the intervening median area dark gray to blackish. The antemedian and postmedian lines are pale off-white and are bordered medially by black. A more diffuse, dark subterminal line shade is also present. The reniform is an indented ellipse, with a pale rim and reddish center. The orbicular and claviform spots -- conspicuous in L. musta -- are absent in this species. The hindwings are uniformly fuscous. Lithacodia musta has a similar pattern but has a conspicuous greenish shading and contrasting orange, black, and white markings. Lithacodia new species 2 is much more uniformly dark brown, with no conspicuous lines or spots.
Wingspan: 19mm
Forewing Length: 9mm
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Distribution in North Carolina


Distribution: Based on the specimens included in BOLD, this species ranges along the southern Coastal Plain, from Florida south to Florida and west to at least Louisiana.
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: All of our records come from the Coastal Plain and are associated with floodplain forests or pond and lake shorelines.

Larval Host Plants: Host plants are unknown.

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks:

State Protection:

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Lithacodia new species 1 - No common name		Photos: 3
	Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2001-05-30 Hoke Co. Comment: wingspan = 19mm, forewing length = 9mm	Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2001-05-29 Hoke Co. Comment: wingspan = 18mm, forewing length = 4mm
	Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 1993-06-22 Dare Co. Comment: Wingspan = 19mm; forewing length = 9mm

Photo Gallery for Lithacodia new species 1 - No common name