Moths of North Carolina
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Cosmia Members:
125 NC Records

Cosmia calami (Harvey, 1876) - American Dun-bar Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: XyleniniP3 Number: 932672.00 MONA Number: 9815.00
Comments: The genus consists of some 31 species, of which 23 are European, 4 African and 4 from North America. One species reaches North Carolina and is found throughout the state. The genus is subdivided into two subgenera based on the form of the female genitalia. Our species belong to the subgenus Calymnia which has highly modified anal papillae and was recently reviewed (Lafontaine and Troubridge, 2003).
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have been barcoded and are similar to those from elsewhere; there is no evidence of sibling species. Although the two subgenera seem quite different based on the genitalia, barcoding places them together, supporting the current phylogeny.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Lafontaine and Troubridge, 2003Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1954); Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Our species is smallish, about the size of many Lacinipolia species, with rounded and somewhat blunted forewings. The maculation is highly variable from a uniform pale yellow to a highly spotted orange-tan. The courses of the antemedial and postmedial lines form a triangle which is diagnostic. The lines are well separated on the costa but approach each other at the anal edge of the wing. Sexes are similar.
Adult Structural Features: In the male, our species has muted characters presenting valves with small bumps and projections. In other species, these features are more pronounced. The vesica has a single cornutus and prominent basal evagination. It is the female which has diagnostic genitalic characters for the anal papillae are highly modified and serrate while the base is expanded forming a setose cup around the papillae. The structure of the bursa is very compact with four elongate signa in the bursa copulatrix.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The green caterpillar is overlain with white spots and has a distinct white middorsal stripe. They hide in curled leaves or spin a shelter (Wagner et al, 2011).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The distribution in the Coastal Plain is very spotty; abundant where found but in few places. Elsewhere, it occurs with more regularity but is seldom common.
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)

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