Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFNoctuidae Members:
Harrisimemna Members:
56 NC Records

Harrisimemna trisignata (Walker, 1856) - Harris's Three-spot Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: AcronictinaeP3 Number: 931498.00 MONA Number: 9286.00
Comments: A genus of two species, one from Japan and one from North America, largely the eastern part but that distribution tails toward Alaska and may trace the origin of our species. Currently it is a member of the Acronictinae but has been placed elsewhere in its history.
Species Status: Examples from North Carolina have been barcoded. Overall there appear to be two clusters of barcodes, one from eastern Canada and the other from throughout the species’ range including eastern Canada. The clusters are about 1.3% apart and probably represent a historical separation, reuniting of partially differentiated populations, and now two well separated clusters of barcodes. No other data support the existence of multiple species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1954); Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The unique pattern with circular brown spots near the wing apices will easily identify this species. Sexes are similar.
Wingspan: 30-35 mm (Forbes, 1954)
Adult Structural Features: The male and female genitalia are consistent with those of other Acronictines and should serve as a tool to recognize them should the need arise.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The caterpillar is most peculiar with a large hump on the eighth abdominal segment and with its shed head capsules retained on its thoracic setae (consult Wagner et al (2011) for details). Given the oddity of its form and behavior, the life history should be studied in more detail.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Distributed across the state
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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