Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Noctuidae Members:	Eudryas Members:	264 NC Records

Eudryas grata (Fabricius, 1793) - Beautiful Wood-nymph

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Noctuidae

Subfamily:
Agaristinae

P3 Number:
931966

MONA Number:
9301.00

Comments: An American genus with one species named from California and two from Georgia. The latter two species also occur in North Carolina. As Forbes (1954) points out this is a genus somewhat intermediate between Acronyctines and Agaristids. It is nocturnal whereas most Agaristids are diurnal, and the tympanum lacks the enlarged bulla characteristic of Agaristids. The adult and larval patterns, however, are clearly Agaristid.

Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have been barcoded and do not differ from those from elsewhere in the range.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1954); Wagner et al. (2011)

Adult Markings: A medium-sized, strikingly marked Noctuid. Very unlike anything else in our fauna except its congener, E. unio. Both have mostly white forewings edged in purple and orange hindwings. The greenish postmedian line distinguishes the two, smooth in this species and inwardly almost serrate in E. unio, a much smaller species. Adults have a very characteristic perching behavior with outstretched, fuzzy forelegs. When disturbed they feign death and curl their abdomen underneath them and fall to the ground.

Wingspan: 35-45 mm (Forbes, 1954)

Adult Structural Features: The male genitalia are rather typical except the aedeagus which is highly modified. The female genitalia are also strange with the ovipositor lobes enlarged and highly sclerotized but the bursae are much reduced and thread-like. Both male and female genitalia are easy to separate from those of E. unio. The modified ovipositors may reflect a peculiar method of placing eggs on the foodplants.

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: The caterpillar has the characteristic encircling black, white and orange bands, very lovely.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Found throughout the state even above 4000 feet

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: In the Coastal Plain there appear to be two broods but in the western part of the state there appears to be a single brood but over a broader period of time. Occasionally there are late emerging adults.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Found in a wide variety of habitats -- everywhere that grapes and related species occur. These include maritime scrub on the barrier islands; riparian and mesic forests; and dry ridge tops. We have no records, however, from peatlands or Longleaf Pine habitats

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are stenophagous, feeding on members of the Vitaceae. Wagner et al. (2011) specifically list Ampelopsis, Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and grape (Vitis). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded on grape. - View

Observation Methods: Seems to come readily to lights but unlikely to be attracted to bait or visit flowers.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Vitaceous Tangles

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S4S5]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: With its wide distribution and broad habitat range, this species appears to be secure within the state. We are fortunate to have this common, lovely moth. It is certainly worth of additional study of the behavior and palatability of both larvae and adults.

Photo Gallery for Eudryas grata - Beautiful Wood-nymph

169 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2025-07-14 Yancey Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Shelbie Leigh on 2025-07-06 Catawba Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-07 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Kevin Bischof on 2024-08-07 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-06 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-08-05 Graham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-05 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-03 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-03 Mitchell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-03 Mitchell Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-26 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-07-26 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-07-11 Graham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-07-11 Watauga Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-10 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-06-25 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-24 Yancey Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-24 Yancey Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-20 Watauga Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-06 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-02 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-01 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-05-07 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2023-08-18 Watauga Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-08-10 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin and Bo Sullivan on 2023-08-08 Wilkes Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka, David George on 2023-08-05 Orange Co. Comment: