Moths of North Carolina

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Phosphila miselioides (Guenée, 1852) - Spotted Phosphila

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Noctuidae

Subfamily:
Noctuinae

Tribe:
Phosphilini

P3 Number:
932209

MONA Number:
9619.00

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 have been examined and match other specimens from throughout a large portion of North America. There is no evidence of unrecognized species in the complex.

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: The greenish color pattern will differentiate this species from most other moderately-sized Noctuids. Two forms are found, with and without a large white reniform spot. Freshly emerged individuals are quite striking.

Adult Structural Features: The male genitalia are readily identified because the valves have almost no features but the vesica has two large patches of cornuti. In the female the bursae is long and narrow, quite unlike most other Noctuids.

Structural photos

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

Immatures and Development: Caterpillars are frequently found at the growing tip of the vines, are green with a white spiracular line and white, well-spaced dots on the dorsum. The prepupa turns black but the white spots persist.

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

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Found statewide, from the Barrier Islands to the High Mountains.

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: There are probably three broods in the Coastal Plain and two in most mid and low mountain regions. The broods seem to be drawn out so that one can expect adults almost any time from April through September.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Found wherever the plant genus Smilax occurs, including dry maritime dunes, scrub, and forests; peatlands; Longleaf Pine savannas and flatwoods; floodplain forests; and mesic forests, including Cove Forests and Northern Hardwoods in the Mountains.

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

Observation Methods: Adults are attracted to light but we are unaware of any reports of them visiting flowers. They do come to bait at times.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Greenbrier 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: Widespread and occupies a wide range of fairly common habitats. Appears to be secure within the state.

Photo Gallery for Phosphila miselioides - Spotted Phosphila

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

	Recorded by: David George on 2025-09-10 Durham Co. Comment: feeding on Smilax		Recorded by: David George on 2025-09-10 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-16 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2025-08-12 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P Morales on 2025-08-05 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Michael P Morales on 2025-08-05 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P Morales on 2025-08-05 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-27 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2025-07-11 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-02 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-18 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-06-05 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-17 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-05-01 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-30 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-30 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, John Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-04-14 Bladen Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-06 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-06 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-09-12 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-12 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-09-02 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-03 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-17 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-14 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-14 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-15 Scotland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-06-12 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-05-24 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-23 Wilson Co. Comment: