Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Noctuidae Members:	Phosphila Members:	142 NC Records

Phosphila turbulenta Hübner, 1818 - Turbulent Phosphila

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Noctuidae

Subfamily:
Noctuinae

Tribe:
Phosphilini

P3 Number:
932208

MONA Number:
9618.00

Comments: A New World genus of some 8 species of which 3 occur in the United States and 2 in North Carolina. Together with Acherodoa ferraria they are the only members of the tribe Phosphilini in our state. Placement of the tribe is uncertain (Wagner et al, 2011).

Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina that have been examined are identical to those from other southeastern locations. So far there is no genetic variation at this locus in this species, an unusual situation but the sample size is small.

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 reddish or wood-brown Noctuid with a pale reniform and a thick, dark anal dash. The subterminal area and the area between the reniform and the postmedian are often somewhat paler than the basal areas of the wing. A small streak of white is located close to the base of the wing along the inner margin.

Wingspan: 23-30 mm (Forbes, 1954)

Adult Structural Features: The very plain valves are unusual for a Noctuine but in this species the vesica is unarmed, a large contrast to the heavily armoured vesica of P. miselioides. The female bursae is quite long and without signa.

Structural photos

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

Immatures and Development: In the early stages caterpillars are gregarious, boldly marked and often visible from quite a distance. The dorsal pattern is a series of black and white, closely spaced lines with one to two rows of white dots at each end; unmistakable.

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

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Found throughout 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) 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: Sightings are made usually during a window of several weeks in the spring and late summer. The species appears to have but two broods in the Coastal Plain and perhaps only one in the upper mountains.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: In the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, our records come wet forested areas, including floodplain forests and pond and lakeshores. In the Mountains, we also have records from upland habitats, primarily mesic coves and stands of northern hardwoods.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae feed on greenbriers (Smilax) (Wagner et al., 2011). In North Carolina, we have a feeding record for Roundleaf Greenbrier (S. rotundifolia). - View

Observation Methods: Adults respond to light but we know of no records of them at bait or flowers. They often occur at lights in groups, perhaps because the caterpillars are gregarious and thus their development synchronized. The gregarious caterpillars are memorable and very obvious when found.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Greenbrier Tangles

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S4S5]

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

Comments: Widespread and occupies a wide range of fairly common habitats. Appears to be secure within the state.

Photo Gallery for Phosphila turbulenta - Turbulent Phosphila

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

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin and Marilyn Westphal. on 2025-09-06 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin and Marilyn Westphal. on 2025-09-06 Henderson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin and Marilyn Westphal. on 2025-09-06 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-08-20 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Marilyn Westphal and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-17 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-27 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-25 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Kevin Bischof on 2024-08-07 Transylvania 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 2024-08-05 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-06 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-07-03 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-06-28 Graham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-27 Yancey Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-27 Yancey Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-06-25 Watauga Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-23 Yancey Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-25 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-05-24 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-05-15 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-15 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-14 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-14 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-05-01 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30 Swain Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2023-07-28 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-07-12 Madison Co. Comment: