Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Noctuidae Members:	Pyreferra Members:	24 NC Records

Pyreferra slotteni Troubridge, 2020 - No Common Name

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Noctuidae

Subfamily:
Noctuinae

Tribe:
Xylenini

P3 Number:
932586.1

MONA Number:
9932.10

Species Status: Described by Troubridge (2020) based on specimens from Florida and the Gulf Coast but long known to occur in North Carolina. It is distinct from other members of this genus based on genital morphology and shows a 5.77% difference in mitochondrial DNA from P. pettiti (Troubridge, 2020).

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions:

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Adult Markings: This is an orange species that is very similar to P. pettiti but has somewhat more pointed forewings and has either straight or slightly curved medial and postmedial lines (Troubridge, 2020). The lower lobe of the reniform has a dark gray filling (also seen in other members of this genus). As in pettiti, the postmedian has well-marked points at the veins.

Forewing Length: 14–15 mm (Troubridge, 2020)

Adult Structural Features: This species is distinct from P. pettiti in both the male and female reproductive structures (Troubridge, 2020).

Structural photos

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Primarily known from the Gulf Coast states, but we have records in North Carolina ranging from the mountains to the Outer Banks, with the majority coming from the Eastern Piedmont. Hop-hornbeam (the host plant) is common in the mountains and Piedmont, but relatively rare in the Coastal Plain. It is unclear why P. slotteni seems to be so localized given the distribution of the host plant.

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: A population in Orange County appears to be strongly associated with Hop-hornbeam, which is common at this site where the moth has been regularly observed over a twenty year period.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae feed on American Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and possibly American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). We only have records in North Carolina for larvae on Hop-hornbeam. - View

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for Rich Dry-Mesic Hardwood Forests

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status: [W-PK]

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SNR [S2S3]

State Protection:

Comments: This species is likely undersampled due to its early flight period. More research is needed to determine its actual abundance and distribution in North Carolina.

Photo Gallery for Pyreferra slotteni - None

Photos: 16

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-02-08 Madison Co. Comment: Identified by dissection.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-02-08 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-02-08 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-04-21 Durham Co. Comment: feeding on Ostrya
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-04-21 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2022-03-07 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2022-02-22 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2021-02-24 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-02-24 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-03-11 Madison Co. Comment: verified by dissection.
	Recorded by: J. B. Sullivan on 2016-04-23 Jones Co. Comment: Caterpillar feeding on Hop Hornbeam (15 mm TL)		Recorded by: J. B. Sullivan on 2016-04-23 Jones Co. Comment: Caterpillar feeding on Hop Hornbeam (15 mm TL)
	Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2016-03-10 Warren Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2016-02-28 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2015-10-13 Orange Co. Comment: Sheet was located next to a concentration of Hop-hornbeam where this species has been observed over a twenty year period		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2014-03-11 Warren Co. Comment: