Moths of North Carolina
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Chaetaglaea Members:
7 NC Records

Chaetaglaea fergusoni Brou, 1997 - Ferguson's Sallow

Chaetaglaea fergusoni
view caption 		Chaetaglaea fergusoni
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: XyleniniP3 Number: 932605 MONA Number: 9948.10
Comments: Currently this genus of 5 species is wholly North American and three of the species are found in North Carolina. The genus is quite similar to other “glaeas” and distinguished largely by features of the male valve and aedeagus.
Species Status: Recently described by Brou (1997). No specimens have been barcoded from North Carolina but those from Florida are distinct from any other Chaetaglaea species.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Not in either field guideOnline Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Brou (1997)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Apparently none                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This species resembles a C. rhonda but is darker and has a reddish sheen to the outer third of the forewing; the markings also tend to be less accentuated in fergusoni and there also usually a dusting of pale gray on the basal side of the postmedian (Brou, 1997). This species is also likely to be confused with somewhat worn specimens of Xestia dilucida complex but the reniform in that species is usually more strongly marked. Sexes are similar.
Adult Structural Features: The male valve is unique: deeply divided with just a thin anal member. The female genitalia are more robust than those of C. sericaglaea and lack the membranous section of the corpus ductus seen in C. rhonda.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Apparently not yet described
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Our records all come from the southern part of the Coastal Plain, including the Fall-line 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)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: On the wing from the end of October to January
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records are all from Longleaf Pine habitats, including both savannas and sandhills.
Larval Host Plants: Host plants are apparently unknown. - View
Observation Methods: Known to respond to lights and probably is attracted to bait but not flowers
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: SR
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G3G4 S1S2
State Protection: Listed as Significantly Rare by the Natural Heritage Program. That designation, however, does not confer any legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: We have only few records for this species, which appears to be quite rare throughout its entire range. At least part of the scarcity of records may be due to its flight period from the end of October to January, a period when few observations are made. However, we have far fewer records for this species than for others that fly at the same time and in the same habitats (e.g., C. tremula). More fall surveys need to be conducted to determine its distribution, host plants, and habitat associations, all of which are needed to make a more accurate diagnosis of its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Chaetaglaea fergusoni - Ferguson's Sallow

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-11-30
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: SPH, SH, CH on 1999-12-02
Moore Co.
Comment: Determined by D.F. Schweitzer, 2000. Wingspan = 4.2cm; forewing length = 1.9cm