Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFNoctuidae Members:
Chytonix Members:
443 NC Records

Chytonix palliatricula (Guenée, 1852) - Cloaked Marvel Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: ElaphriiniP3 Number: 932249.00 MONA Number: 9556.00
Comments: The genus Chytonix nominally contains some 30+ species from India, China, Japan and the Americas, but most belong in other genera, particularly the Neotropical species. Our fauna is limited to three species of which two occur in North Carolina and all may form a single genus. An apparently undescribed species akin to C. sensilis -- identified with barcoding -- occurs in October and November in central Florida.
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina are similar to those from elsewhere in the species range, with very minor barcode heterogeneity present.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Our two species are mottled brown with a distinct small white spot in the anal fold of the forewing. Distinguishing the two species is very difficult but fortunately C. sensilis is on the wing from late August through early October so any Chytonix outside that time period is C. palliatricula. Additionally, C. palliatricula has a form with large white spots on the forewing, C. sensilis can be slightly frosted in the same area but never looks like this form of C. palliatricula. Familiarity with the species allows most individuals to be sorted correctly but to be absolutely sure of the identification requires dissection or barcoding. Sexes similar but females often larger. Both morphological forms relatively common.
Wingspan: 28-33 mm (Forbs, 1954)
Adult Structural Features: In the male the arrowhead-shaped uncus of C. palliatricula is distinct (narrow and slightly curved in C. sensilis). In the female the four longitudinal signa in the bursa of C. palliatricula are absent or barely present in C. sensilis.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The caterpillar is gray or brown and distinguished by the fact that the antennae are white and there are two black lines across the small head.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: 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)

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