Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFNoctuidae Members:
Properigea Members:
4 NC Records

Properigea tapeta (Smith, 1900) - No Common Name


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: XyleniniP3 Number: 932723.00 MONA Number: 9592.00
Comments: This North American genus contains some 10 described species, of which 2 reach North Carolina.
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have not been barcoded; in fact only a single specimen from Florida has been sequenced. It seems to represent a unique species based on other factors.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Not in either field guideOnline Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The size is similar to Elaphria or most Lacinipolia. The forewing is orange-red with a darker median band and white reniform; the wing pattern should suffice to identify this species. Sexes are similar.
Adult Structural Features: The genitalia are somewhat similar to those found in Elaphria and Lacinipolia and while there are no obvious unique generic characters, the specific features of the male are unique. The pelt has brushes and pockets and the vesica cornuti. No females have been examined.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Apparently undescribed
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: All of our records come from the Outer Coastal Plain.
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: Has a fairly extended flight period, from late March to July. There are not yet enough records to determine if there are separate flights.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come mainly from riparian forests or mesic hardwoods on slopes adjoining floodplains in the Coastal Plain. One record also exists from sandhills habitat but located close to a river floodplain and slopes.
Larval Host Plants: Unrecorded but western species in this genus feed on ferns (Lafontaine, pers. comm. to JBS, based on information from T. McCabe). - View
Observation Methods: Known only from light trap studies. Response to bait (possible) and flowers (unlikely) unknown.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Coastal Plain Wet-Mesic Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: W3
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SU
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: We have only a few records for this species, which is more common in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Currently too little is known about its distribution, abundance, host plants, and habitat associations in North Carolina to be sure about its status as a resident species, let alone determine its conservation needs.