Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Noctuidae Members:	Metaxaglaea Members:	114 NC Records

Metaxaglaea viatica (Grote, 1874) - Roadside Sallow

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Noctuoidea

Family:
Noctuidae

Subfamily:
Noctuinae

Tribe:
Xylenini

P3 Number:
932598

MONA Number:
9944.00

Comments: One of five species in this genus that occur in North America, all of which have been recorded in North Carolina.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

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

Technical Description, Adults: Schweitzer (1979)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Schweitzer (1979); Wagner et al. (2011)

Adult Markings: Metaxaglaea viatica, violacea, and semitaria are all medium-large Noctuids with similar wing patterns: dentate postmedian and antemedian lines; large, red-encircled orbicular and reniform spots and a contrastingly dark band between the postmedian and the subterminal lines. Externally, they differ primarily in color, which can be subtle and highly dependent on the lighting conditions. The ground color of viatica is usually a leather brown, with less red/violet than violacea and less yellow/orange than semitaria (see Schweitzer, 1979, for details).

Adult Structural Features: Male genitalia are very similar to those of violacea, both possessing long, thin spines at the apex of the valves; australis and semitaria, in contrast, have short spines. Specimens of viatica often lack dorsal spines on the cucullus of both valves, whereas specimens of violacea usually have a spine on at least one of the valves (see Schweitzer, 1979, for illustrations as well as more detailed descriptions).

Structural photos

Immatures and Development: Larvae are dull grayish-brown, similar to those of other Metaxaglaea; see the key to last instar larvae given by Schweitzer (1979) for details concerning their differences.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Probably occurs 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: Univoltine, with adults flying primarily in the fall and early winter, but with at least some individuals persisting into January, or even as late as March in the Coastal Plain.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Our records come from a variety of habitats, including Maritime Forests, Longleaf Pine Savannas and Sandhills, lakeshores and swamps, and upland ridges.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are polyphagous, probably feeding primarily on members of the Rosaceae, and have been found in the wild on apple (Malus), chokeberry (Aronia), and mountain-ash (Sorbus) (Wagner et al., 2011). In captivity, larvae also accept blueberry (Vaccinium), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), and oak (Quercus), although with variable results and with at least some of these hosts becoming unsuitable as their leaves mature (Schweitzer, 1979). In North Carolina, a larva has been recorded feeding on Winged Elm (Ulmus alata). - View

Observation Methods: Like other Metaxaglaea, this species appears to come well to both blacklights and bait.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Rosaceous Thickets

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S3S4]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: With a statewide distribution, association with a number of common host plants and common habitats -- including residential areas -- this species appears to be secure within the state.

Photo Gallery for Metaxaglaea viatica - Roadside Sallow

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

	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2025-04-16 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2025-04-16 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-03-04 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: John Petranka and Sally Gewalt on 2025-02-07 Beaufort Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka and Sally Gewalt on 2025-02-07 Beaufort Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-01-31 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2025-01-30 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-12-28 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-12-06 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-11-25 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-11-10 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: JIm Petranka on 2024-11-08 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-11-02 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-11-01 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-10-24 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-01-30 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-09 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-01 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-17 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-16 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-12 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-10 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-08 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-07 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-05 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-05 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Teper on 2023-10-20 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-10-18 Graham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2023-10-11 Durham Co. Comment: