Erebidae

Grammia parthenice Parthenice Tiger

20 n=1 • • • High Mt. • • • • N 10 • u • • m • • • • b • 0 • e • • • • 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: 25 • • Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec o 20 • f n=13 • = Sighting or Collection Low Mt. High counts of: in NC since 2001 F • = Not seen since 2001 l 10 37 - Halifax - 2012-09-14 • i 11 - Montgomery - 2011-09-27 g Status Rank h 10 - Halifax - 2012-09-14 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 20 20 t n=20 n=29 e Pd CP s 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: SUBFAMILY: TRIBE: TAXONOMIC_COMMENTS: One of 36 species in this that occur in North America (Schmidt, 2009), nine of which have been recorded in North Carolina. The form occurring in North Carolina has long been considered to represent subspecies intermedia, which is much larger than the nominate subspecies occurring in the northern plains and boreal . However, Schmidt (2009) stated that more work would be needed to see if Southeastern populations are actually the same as those from Texas, where intermedia was originally described.

FIELD GUIDE DESCRIPTIONS: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012) ONLINE PHOTOS: MPG, Bugguide, BAMONA TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, ADULTS: Forbes (1960); Schmidt (2009) TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION, IMMATURE STAGES: Forbes (1960)

ID COMMENTS: A boldly marked Tiger Moth, second in size only to G. virgo among our species. Easily recognizable from a good quality photograph where both the hindwings and forewings are in view. The hindwings are usually red or pink (rarely yellow) and have a row of black spots located along the outer margin but lacks the ante-medial spots characteristic of virgo. The forewings are black with both narrow yellow lines along the veins and a set of broader yellow bands running longitudinally and transversely. This pattern is similar to that of G. virgo and anna but the post-median (terminology following Schmidt, 2009) is strongly bent at the midpoint in those species but is only slightly bent, if at all, in parthenice.

DISTRIBUTION: Probably occurs statewide except possibly on the Outer Banks and other barrier islands

FLIGHT COMMENT: Has one primary flight in September but with at least one specimen collected in May in the Coastal Plain. Overlaps but is usually later than virgo.

HABITAT: Schmidt (2009) states that parthenice is one of the most widespread species in this genus and occupies a wide range of habitats, from "rich deciduous forests to the grasslands of the Great Plains, preferring mesic meadows, pastures, and edges of wetlands." Our records come primarily from hardwood forests, with most from mesic or bottomland habitats. Records from barrier islands and peatlands are lacking and we have only a small number from Longleaf Pine habitats, usually where there are stands of hardwoods located in nearby stream bottoms.

FOOD: Members of this genus are highly polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of herbaceous plants, with Dicots possibly preferred (Schmidt, 2009)

OBSERVATION_METHODS: Comes fairly well to blacklights, but usually in small numbers. The mouthparts are non-functional (Singer, 2000, cited in Schmidt, 2009), so it does not come to bait.

NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM RANKS: G5 [S5]

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

COMMENTS: Occurs across most of the state and occupies a wide range of habitats; appears to be fairly secure

March 2021 The of North Carolina - Early Draft 1