Moths of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha): Choose a Family

Home

View PDF	Geometridae Members:	Iridopsis Members:	715 NC Records

Iridopsis defectaria (Guenée, [1858]) - Brown-shaded Gray

view caption

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Geometroidea

Family:
Geometridae

Subfamily:
Ennominae

Tribe:
Boarmiini

P3 Number:
91a0986

MONA Number:
6586.00

Comments: One of 20 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico, seven of which have been recorded in North Carolina. In Rindge's 1966 revision of this group, 18 were placed in Anacamptodes, which he recognized as possibly representing the same genus as Iridopsis, and two in Iridopsis itself.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984; as Anacamptodes defectaria)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Adult Markings: This is one of the larger members of this genus in North Carolina. It is similar in size and pattern to I. vellivolata -- both have reddish brown shading before the antemedian and following the postmedian -- but having a definite whitish ground color rather than the bluish or purplish color of vellivolata. The pale form of pergracilis is similar in ground color and shading, but has a less undulating postmedian, particular at M2 and C2.

Wingspan: 30-35 mm (Forbes, 1948)

Forewing Length: 13-20 mm, males; 16-22 mm, females (Rindge, 1966)

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution:

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Habitats include barrens, forests, and woodlands (Wagner et al., 2001). Our records come from a wide range of hardwood forests, maritime habitats, Longleaf Pine ecosystems, and peatlands.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a variety of hardwood trees. Wagner et al. (2001) specifically list walnut (Juglans), poplar (Populus), cherry (Prunus), oak (Quercus), and willow (Salix). In North Carolina, we have records for Common Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) and Willow Oak (Quercus phellos). - View

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Forests and Shrublands

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S5]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Iridopsis defectaria - Brown-shaded Gray

382 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2026-03-03 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2026-03-01 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Will Bennett on 2026-02-27 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2026-02-20 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2026-02-19 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2026-02-19 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2026-02-19 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2026-01-10 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2026-01-10 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2026-01-09 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2026-01-07 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-12-23 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mike Stevens on 2025-12-10 Wayne Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-24 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-23 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-22 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-11-21 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-11-19 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2025-11-07 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2025-11-07 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2025-10-18 Henderson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Summit School 5th Grade (D.Helm) on 2025-10-09 Forsyth Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-20 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2025-09-16 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-11 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-09-04 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-02 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-08-28 Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-08-24 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Marilyn Westphal and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-17 Henderson Co. Comment: