Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFNoctuidae Members:
Epiglaea Members:
39 NC Records

Epiglaea apiata (Grote, 1874) - Pointed Sallow


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: XyleniniP3 Number: 932603.00 MONA Number: 9947.00
Comments: The genus contains two species found principally in the Eastern United States and in North Carolina. The two species are not closely related and E. decliva will eventually be moved to another genus.
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina barcode with those from other states and there are no indications of multiple species. It does not barcode near E. decliva.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Very much like a Metaxaglaea species but the vestiture is finer and the lower lobe of the reniform contains a distinct black spot. The subterminal line is reddish in the medial portion and stands out.
Adult Structural Features: The thorax in this species and E. decliva has a high median crest. Both male and female genitalia of this species differ radically from those of E. decliva. The clasper is swollen basally and apically and extends from the middle of the valve to the tip. It is not appressed to the valve as in Metaxaglaea but curves well out over the costal edge. The tip of the valve ends in a spine as in Metaxaglaea; in Chaetaglaea there is no spine.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The caterpillar has a broad spiracular stripe which makes it easy to distinguish from both Epiglaea decliva and Metaxaglaea species. It is more like those of Chaetaglaea species, which have a somewhat narrower stripe that runs below the spiracles (see Wagner et al, 2011, for illustrations and a detailed description). Larvae may be active early in the spring on unopened buds and later feed at night making them difficult to find after the early stages.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: All of our records come from the Outer Coastal Plain and Sandhills.
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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