Moths of North Carolina
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89 NC Records

Callopistria cordata (Ljungh, 1825) - Silver-spotted Fern Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: EriopinaeP3 Number: 932194.00 MONA Number: 9633.00
Comments: This is a very large genus found worldwide. We have 5 species in the US and Canada of which 4 occur in North Carolina. The genus contains reddish species which feed on ferns and is likely polyphyletic, including our 4 species.
Species Status: Examples from the Coastal Plain of North Carolina have been barcoded and match those from Tennessee and Florida. However, specimens from eastern Canada barcode as a separate species. To add to this heterogeneity, the type is said to have come from the West Indies! We have no idea what, if any, name should be applied to our species. The taxonomy of this species needs work not only to reveal how many species are going under the name but the validity of the type location, West Indies.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The postmedian line is a series of small silver spots. Larger silver spots on a reddish background make this species’ wing pattern unmistakable. Wagner et al (2011) suggest that the silver spotting may resemble water droplets which break up the pattern of this species.
Adult Structural Features: This species and C. granitosa have remarkably similar male and female genitalia and tergites however the barcodes are distinct and the maculation very distinct. The small differences we see may not hold up in longer series.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae are red or green and similar to those of mollissima in possessing oblique pale stripes, but they lack the red spots that accompany the pale ones characteristic of mollissima (Wagner et al., 2011).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Found across the state, including the Barrier Islands, but we currently have no records from 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
Flight Comments: There appear to be at least two broods in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain and probably a single summer brood in the mountains.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Most of our records come from Longleaf Pine habitats, including savannas, flatwoods, and sandhills, all where Bracken is a common species. Records from the Piedmont and Mountains also come from dry, open habitats, again where Bracken frequently occurs. On the other hand, we also have records from the lower Roanoke River floodplain and from peatland habitats, where Bracken would not be expected.
Larval Host Plants: Wagner et al (2011) found larvae on Bracken ferns and most site records are consistent with Bracken as the principal, if not only, host. However, there are at least a few records from North Carolina from wetter or more deeply shaded sites, where other ferns seem more likely to be used. - View
Observation Methods: Attracted to lights but no records of it coming to bait or attracted to flowers.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Fernlands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S4S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: The wide distribution and broad range of habitat types occupied by this species makes this species secure within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Callopistria cordata - Silver-spotted Fern Moth

Photos: 18

Recorded by: R. Teper, David George on 2023-09-25
Caswell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Richmond Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-07-28
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-07-22
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Bo Sullivan and Steve Hall on 2021-05-10
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-08-07
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-05-03
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-04-13
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-07-24
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Julie Tuttle on 2018-05-19
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. A. Anderson on 2017-05-17
Surry Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Robert Gilson on 2016-04-27
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2014-06-29
McDowell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall, Bo Sullivan, Tony McBride on 2014-06-23
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2013-08-29
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2013-08-29
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2013-08-10
Warren Co.
Comment: