Moths of North Carolina
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Metaxaglaea Members:
40 NC Records

Metaxaglaea australis Schweitzer, 1979 - Southern Sallow


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: XyleniniP3 Number: 932600.00 MONA Number: 9945.10
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: Not in either field guideOnline Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Schweitzer (1979)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Schweitzer (1979); Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A medium-sized, brown Noctuid. Similar in pattern to several other species of Metaxaglaea, particularly viatica, with the ground color of the thorax and wings being usually a plain or leather brown. Externally, this species is distinguished by its smaller size: forewing length is usually less than 22mm (0.9") in both sexes whereas it is usually over 22mm in other species of Metaxaglaea and often over 25mm (Schweitzer, 1979). The forewings also tend to be somewhat broader than in the other species and the terminal line on the hindwing is usually more strongly dentate (Schweitzer, 1979).
Adult Structural Features: Male genitalia are very similar to semitaria but differ from viatica and violacea in possessing a short rather than long spine at the terminus of the valve (see illustration and description in Schweitzer, 1979).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae are dull grayish-brown, similar to those of other Metaxaglaea, especially semitaria; see a key to the 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: All of our records come from the outer coastal plain, either from barrier islands or from mainland sites located within just a couple of miles from the coast.
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 from late October to early February.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: All of our records come from coastal evergreen forest or scrub habitats, located on barrier islands or relict dunes located just inland from the coast.
Larval Host Plants: Presumed larvae of this species have been found feeding on Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) (J.B. Sullivan, pers. obs.). These are currently being reared to confirm their identities, but Yaupon certainly fits the distribution of australis in North Carolina. - View
Observation Methods: Like other Metaxaglaeas, this species appears to come well to both blacklights and bait.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Live Oak Forests and Maritime Scrub Thickets
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [W3]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GU [S2S3]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to be strongly associated with maritime or coastal evergreen forests. As such, it is threatened by both coastal development, particularly on the barrier islands, and sea level rise.

 Photo Gallery for Metaxaglaea australis - Southern Sallow

Photos: 23

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-02-14
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-01-23
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-26
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-25
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2023-12-24
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-24
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-23
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-23
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-22
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-02-21
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-11-19
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-11-09
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-03-10
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2020-01-10
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-12-25
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2019-02-06
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Bo Sullivan on 2016-02-01
Carteret Co.
Comment: Found on Yaupon. Probably 2nd instar; length = 7 mm		Recorded by: Bo Sullivan on 2016-02-01
Carteret Co.
Comment: Found on Yaupon. Probably 2nd instar; length = 6 mm
Recorded by: Bo Sullivan on 2016-02-01
Carteret Co.
Comment: Found on Yaupon. Probably 2nd instar; length = 6 mm		Recorded by: Bo Sullivan on 2012-02-26
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Bo Sullivan on 2012-02-26
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Newman,Randy on 2006-01-05
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2005-01-01
Carteret Co.
Comment: