Moths of North Carolina
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39 NC Records

Eupsilia morrisoni (Grote, 1874) - Morrison's Sallow


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: XyleniniP3 Number: 932591.00 MONA Number: 9936.00
Comments: A genus of the Northern Hemisphere with some 17 described species, including 8 in North America, with several more about to be described. North Carolina has 6 described and 1 undescribed species, some of which are extremely similar in wing pattern.
Species Status: Specimens of this species from North Carolina and elsewhere in the East barcode with specimens of E. vinnulenta, attesting to the close relationship of these two species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954; descriptions of Eupsilia are available online at http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/MothTalkDownload/MothTalk010.htm)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Like E. devia, Eupsilia morrisoni is fairly easy to distinguish due to its fairly even, non-dentate postmedian line (Forbes, 1954). Fresh specimens are leathery-brown but worn specimens in the spring are a much faded brown or tan. The transverse lines are pale and well-defined. The antemedian is strong and runs straight across the wing, similar to most species of Eupsilia but not as oblique or as concave as in devia. The postmedian is even to slightly waved, especially towards the costa, but is never dentate as in the other species of brown Eupsilias. The straight pale line characteristic of devia that runs between the postmedian and subterminal is missing, and the subterminal is fairly weak and irregular. The reniform is a narrow yellow lunule (or with no filling), and has a dark dot at the lower end. The sexes are similar.
Adult Structural Features: The male genitalia of our Eupsilia species are very similar. The proximal curve of the juxta has a slight medial projection. In the female the bursa has 4 signa and the ostial plate is slightly veed at the distal end and squared at the proximal end.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Eupsilia larvae are all similar to one another: variable in color; a narrow spiracular stripe usually the most prominent but with other lines also present; a darkened prothoracic shield, usually with two pale stripes. Wagner et al. (2011) recommend that larvae be reared to adulthood in order to determine the species.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Occurs throughout the Mountains but has also been found close to the Fall-line in the eastern Piedmont
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: Occurring commonly from mid-October to early April throughout the mountains but undoubtedly hibernating through the coldest months.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Most of our records come from stands of upland hardwoods growing on dry slopes and ridges. A few also come from wet-to-mesic riparian or lakeshore forests.
Larval Host Plants: Widely polyphagous on woody plants but preferences have not been documented anywhere in its range. Wagner et al (2011) list Scrub Oak, Sugar Maple, Viburnum, Sweet Gale and Wild Strawberry but no preferences documented. - View
Observation Methods: Adults readily come to bait and they also appear to come fairly well to blacklight traps.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S4S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species ranges across the entire length of the Mountains in North Carolina and at least sparingly in the Piedmont. With its wide range of host plants and use of a fairly broad range of forest habitat types, it appears to be secure within the state.

 Photo Gallery for Eupsilia morrisoni - Morrison's Sallow

Photos: 9

Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-03-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-03-07
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-10-20
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-01-26
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-02-17
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-12-28
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2018-02-21
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2013-04-16
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Doug Blatny/Jackie Nelson on 2011-12-14
Ashe Co.
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