Moths of North Carolina
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Xylotype Members:
15 NC Records

Xylotype capax (Grote, 1868) - Broad Sallow


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: XyleniniP3 Number: 932700.00 MONA Number: 9979.00
Comments: This genus currently contains two species from North America and one reaches North Carolina. It appears to be most closely related to the genus Platypolia.
Species Status: The two species that are currently recognized are largely allopatric and differ mostly by the intensity of the pattern and size (arcadia, the Canadian species is smaller and lighter). The comparison of their CO1 sequences supports the hypothesis that they are conspecific and sequences from North Carolina are similar to those from elsewhere.
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: This large, blackish gray, fall-flying Noctuid is likely to be confused only with Sutyna privata, which is similar in size, color, and pattern and whose flight period overlaps. The marked anal dash of capax is usually sufficient to identify it, and our form of Sutyna is also usually darker and smoother in appearance, and shows more constrast between the subterminal and terminal areas of the forewing. Sexes are similar.
Adult Structural Features: In the male, the valve is large and quite complex and unlikely to be confused with other species. In the female, the ostial plate, ductus bursae, and proximal end of the accessory bursae are heavily sclerotized.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Eggs overwinter and the larvae begin feeding early on buds. Older larvae are probably climbing cutworms and hard to locate during daytime searches. Larvae are mottled gray and brown, with a broad, pale spiracular spot (see Wagner et al., 2011, for illustrations and a detailed description).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Our records currently come from portions of the Fall-line Sandhills, Piedmont, and Mountains but the potential exists for it to be much more widespread.
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: Univoltine, flying in October and November. One record from June in the Great Smokey Mountains needs to be verified.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Wagner et al. (2003) describe this species as a shrubland associate, found in "pitch pine–scrub oak barrens and heathlands on sandplains or rocky summits and ridges." Our records are consistent with this habitat description: records from the Coastal Plain come from Longleaf Pine sandhills, while those from the Piedmont and Mountains all come from ridges and summits.
Larval Host Plants: According to Wagner et al (2011) larvae have been located on Highbush Blueberry and Cherry but captive larvae feed on a broader array of trees and shrubs. - View
Observation Methods: Adults respond at least to some extent to both light and bait.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Wet-Dry Heath Thickets
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [W3]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G4 S2S3
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: We have only a few records of this handsome species. While this is due to some extent to its late season flight period, when collecting is normally low, it also appears to be a woodlands and barrens habitat specialist. Currently, too little is known about its distribution, abundance, and exact host plants and habitats to make an accurate assessment of its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Xylotype capax - Broad Sallow

Photos: 2

Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-11-18
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2022-10-28
Transylvania Co.
Comment: