Geometridae

Episemasia solitaria No common name

50 40 n=3 • High Mt. • 30 N • • u 20 • • m 10 b e 0 • • • r 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 • 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 NC counties: 21 • • • Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec • • o 50 • • f n=0 • = Sighting or Collection 40 • Low Mt. High counts of: • • in NC since 2001 F 30 • l 148 - Brunswick - 2006-04-24 = Not seen since 2001 20 • i 68 - Columbus - 2006-04-25 g 10 Status Rank h 62 - Brunswick - 2006-04-24 0 NC US NC Global t 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 D Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec a 50 50 t 40 n=4 40 n=229 e Pd CP s 30 30 20 20 10 10 0 0 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 15 5 25 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Three periods to each month: 1-10 / 11-20 / 21-31 FAMILY: Geometridae SUBFAMILY: TRIBE: Caberini TAXONOMIC_COMMENTS: Two species are found in this North American genus, one occurs in North Carolina, the other in Texas

FIELD GUIDE DESCRIPTIONS: ONLINE PHOTOS: MPG, BugGuide, BAMONA, BOLD TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, ADULTS: Ferguson (2009) TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, IMMATURE STAGES:

ID COMMENTS: Males are far less common in light trap samples than females and are more uniform in maculation. Females have numerous forms (see illustration above) but do not closely resemble other geometrid species. Reference to illustrations of the species should allow determination. It is most likely to be confused with small individuals of intractata or with Cyclophora species but should always be easy to identify.

DISTRIBUTION: Most of our records come from the Coastal Plain, but we also have records in the Piedmont and Mountains, including at high elevations

FLIGHT COMMENT: There is one brood with adults beginning to fly when warm days appear and continuing through May.

HABITAT: The species is abundant in the open savanna and piney woods of the southern Coastal Plain. It also occurs in woodland habitat wherever Ilex opaca, I. vomitoria and I. glabra or coriacea are growing. A few specimens have come from western counties but the habitat association there is unknown. It is likely associated with habitats supporting Ilex opaca or I. ambigua.

FOOD: In the Coastal Plain this species is associated with Ilex opaca occasionally but more often with I. vomitoria, glabra and coriacea where it can be very common. We suspect I. opaca is not a major host as the leaves harden about the time this species is in full flight.

OBSERVATION_METHODS: Adults readily come to light and can be flushed in the daytime. They are not expected to respond to bait.

NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM RANKS: [GNR S4S5]

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

COMMENTS: This species is common and widespread in the Coastal Plain and it occupies a wide range of shrubby and wooded habitats throughout the state. Although its distribution in the western half of the state still needs to be better understood, this species appears to be secure within the state.

March 2021 The Moths of North Carolina - Early Draft 1