Noctuidae

Lateroligia ophiogramma Double Lobed

10 9 8 n=2 • 7 High Mt. 6 N 5 • u 4 3 m 2 b 1 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: 2 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec o 10 f 9 n=2 = Sighting or Collection 8 • 7 Low Mt. High counts of: in NC since 2001 F 6 l 5 1 - Avery - 2015-06-18 4 i 3 1 - Ashe - 2015-06-28 g 2 Status Rank h 1 1 - Ashe - 2015-06-19 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 10 10 9 9 t 8 n=0 8 n=0 e 7 Pd 7 CP s 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 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: SUBFAMILY: Noctuinae TRIBE: Apameini TAXONOMIC_COMMENTS: There is but a single species in this isolated of Apameine . Originally from Europe to Japan, it was introduced at least twice into the United States (Troubridge et al, 1992), has spread across Canada, and is progressing southward down the Appalachians.

FIELD GUIDE DESCRIPTIONS: Beadle and Leckie (2012) ONLINE PHOTOS: MPG, BugGuide, BAMONA, BOLD TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, ADULTS: Mikkola et al. (2009) TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, IMMATURE STAGES: Wagner et al. (2001)

ID COMMENTS: A medium-sized, black and brown marked Noctuid. The forewing has a dark brown to blackish patch extending along the costa down to the fold in the central part of the wing; the terminal area may also be dark, sometimes with dark wedges extending towards the subterminal line. The basal and subterminal areas, as well as the medial area below the fold is a lighter tan to gray-brown, as is the filling of the fairly large reniform spot. Adults are fairly distinct but are sometimes confused with one of the forms of Mesapamea fractilinea. Sexes are similar.

DISTRIBUTION: Currently known only from the northern Mountains in North Carolina but is likely to spread farther.

FLIGHT COMMENT: Our few records are all from mid-June.

HABITAT: Known host plants are primarily wetland species but our records come from mesic, upland forests.

FOOD: Feeds on large stemmed grasses in the genera Glyceria, Phragmites and Phalaris.

OBSERVATION_METHODS: Adults readily come to ultraviolet light but would not be expected to respond to bait.

NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM RANKS: [GNR SNA]

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

COMMENTS: This exotic species is now a resident in the northwest corner of the state and may well spread throughout elsewhere. One possible beneficial effect is reduction of some of our stands of invasive Phragmites and Phalaris, but its impact to native species of tall grasses needs to be determined.

March 2021 The Moths of North Carolina - Early Draft 1