Moths of North Carolina
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Lateroligia Members:
5 NC Records

Lateroligia ophiogramma (Esper, 1793) - Double Lobed Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: ApameiniP3 Number: 932352.00 MONA Number: 9385.10
Comments: There is but a single species in this isolated genus of Apameine moths. Originally from Europe to Japan, it was introduced at least twice into the United States (Troubridge et al, 1992), has spread across Canada, and is progressing southward down the Appalachians.
Species Status: North Carolina specimens have been barcoded and match those from elsewhere in the US, Canada and Europe.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Mikkola et al. (2009)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2001)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A medium-sized, black and brown marked Noctuid. The forewing has a dark brown to blackish patch extending along the costa down to the fold in the central part of the wing; the terminal area may also be dark, sometimes with dark wedges extending towards the subterminal line. The basal and subterminal areas, as well as the medial area below the fold is a lighter tan to gray-brown, as is the filling of the fairly large reniform spot. Adults are fairly distinct but are sometimes confused with one of the forms of Mesapamea fractilinea. Sexes are similar.
Forewing Length: 13-15 mm (Mikkola et al., 2009)
Adult Structural Features: The genitalia are quite distinct and do not indicate close relationship to other Apameine genera.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The caterpillar bores the stems of Glyceria, Phragmites and Phalaris species of grasses. As typical of borers, it is devoid of most color and appears to overwinter as an egg or young larva (see Wagner et al., 2001, for illustrations and a more detailed description).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Currently known only from the northern Mountains in North Carolina but is likely to spread farther.
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: Our few records are all from mid-June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Known host plants are primarily wetland species but our records come from mesic, upland forests.
Larval Host Plants: Feeds on large stemmed grasses in the genera Glyceria, Phragmites and Phalaris. - View
Observation Methods: Adults readily come to ultraviolet light but would not be expected to respond to bait.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR SNA]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This exotic species is now a resident in the northwest corner of the state and may well spread throughout elsewhere. One possible beneficial effect is reduction of some of our stands of invasive Phragmites and Phalaris, but its impact to native species of tall grasses needs to be determined.

 Photo Gallery for Lateroligia ophiogramma - Double Lobed Moth

Photos: 3

Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-24
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Scharf on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Scharf on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment: