Moths of North Carolina

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Alypia octomaculata (Fabricius, 1775) - Eight-spotted Forester

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Noctuidae

Subfamily:
Agaristinae

P3 Number:
931979

MONA Number:
9314.00

Comments: Nine species are included in this genus from the United States and Argentina, a rather peculiar distribution! North Carolina has but a single species.

Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have not been barcoded but those from throughout the eastern states have (as Alypia octomaculata, A. langtonii and A. wittfeldii) and all are very similar to each other. The taxa A. langtonii and A. wittfeldii may just represent geographic variation although the former species does seem to be valid.

Identification

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

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

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1960)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1960); Wagner et al. (2011)

Adult Markings: A medium-sized, strikingly marked Noctuid. The pattern found on this species is quite unique but Anania funebris, a pyraustid moth, seems to mimic that pattern (see photo for that species). The moth is diurnal and frequently found on flowers in the spring.

Wingspan: 30 mm (Forbes, 1960)

Adult Structural Features: Both male and female genitalia appear to have unique characters which will serve to differentiate them from other species in our region. Whether or not they differentiate our species from Alypia langtonii and A. wittfeldii remains to be demonstrated.

Structural photos

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

Immatures and Development: The caterpillar is typical for the group with encircling white, black and orange bands probably signaling unpalatability. Larvae rapidly drop from the foodplant when it is disturbed. Pest densities have been noted but are unusual.

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

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Found across the state except at the higher altitudes.

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
Immature 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: The species is most common in the spring but even so, few are seen and we have little indication how common this species really is. The spring brood is followed by stragglers for several months but it is unclear whether emergence is staggered or there are multiple broods but fewer concentrations of attractive flowers later in the season so we just do not see them. Bryant (1982) had adults from a single batch of eggs hatch over a period of 4 years indicating there probably is a staggered emergence.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Usually found along the edges of fields and woodlands, particularly at spring blooming shrubs. Whether the females penetrate woodlands in search of foodplants appears to be unknown.

Larval Host Plants: Like many other Agaristine moths, this species feeds on grape (Vitis), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and peppervine (Ampelopsis) (Wagner, 2005), which are typically found in woodland and field edges, but can also be found in small clearings inside wooded areas. In North Carolina, the species has been recorded feeding on Virginia Creeper and Muscadine (Muscadinia rotundifolia). - View

Observation Methods: Adults will come to light but probably sparingly so. They are unrecorded from bait but readily visit flowers and are considered primarily diurnal.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Vitaceous Tangles

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S5]

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

Comments: This species is only infrequently recorded, but as a primarily day-flying species, it has not been effectively sampled by the light traps and baiting that are the main-stays of our systematic moth surveys. Judging by the frequency of citizen scientist sightings, it may actually not be that uncommon in North Carolina. More diurnal searches are needed for this, as well as other species of day-flying moths. Currently, we have records from a wide area of the state and from a broad range of habitats. Consequently, it appears to be secure, if uncommon, across the state.

Photo Gallery for Alypia octomaculata - Eight-spotted Forester

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

	Recorded by: Tim Foley on 2025-06-10 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Carolyn Mott on 2025-06-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Kaitlin Gross on 2025-05-10 Person Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-05-01 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-05-01 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-04-22 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jen Caldwell on 2025-04-09 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-04-05 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-27 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-27 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-20 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-20 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-06-20 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Morgan Freese on 2024-06-13 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-13 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-05-24 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-05-23 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson on 2024-05-17 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-04-25 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman; L. Eckart on 2024-04-23 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-03 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-03 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2023-06-13 Moore Co. Comment: Beaten from a Black Cherry with a muscadine vine growing on it.		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2023-06-13 Moore Co. Comment: Beaten from a Black Cherry with a muscadine vine growing on it.
	Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-03-25 Onslow Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Peregrine Bratschi on 2023-03-24 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: C. Jones on 2022-06-02 McDowell Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2022-04-29 Columbus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2022-04-29 Columbus Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Owen McConnell & Deborah Hansen on 2021-06-19 Durham Co. Comment: