Metalectra quadrisignata

Pogue, Michael G., 2012, The Aventiinae, Boletobiinae, Eublemminae, Pangraptinae, Phytometrinae, and Scolecocampinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U. S. A., Zootaxa 3153, pp. 1-31 : 10

3. Metalectra quadrisignata (Walker, [1858]) Four-spotted Fungus Moth

( Figs. 4–5 , Map 4)

Identification. Forewing length 9.0–13.0 mm. Metalectra quadrisignata has a brown forewing. Basal area is brown at base with a distal black band with a white, crenulate antemedial line. Reniform spot is black and quadrate with a black, slightly thinner, zigzag medial line extending to posterior margin. Orbicular spot is small, black, and round.

There is a slightly curved row of white spots in the subterminal area. Hind wing has a similar pattern to forewing with a black, rectangular discal spot; a curved line of small white spots; and a pair of white bars in the anal area. Similar to M. discalis , but the ground color of the forewing is brown in M. quadrisignata versus dark brown in M. discalis . The zigzag medial line is distinct in M. quadrisignata and absent in M. discalis .

Flight period. May to August.

Collected localities. North Carolina: Swain Co.: Big Cove Rd., site c. Tennessee: Blount Co.: Tremont; Foothills Parkway West at E end; Cades Cove Ranger Station. (5 specimens)

Elevation range. 1001–2080 ft. (305–634 m)

General distribution. This is an eastern species distributed from southeastern Canada to Florida and west to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Larval hosts. Larvae have been reported feeding on a species of bracket fungus ( Covell 1984).

MAP 4. Collecting localities of Metalectra quadrisignata .

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 32. Adults. 1, Oruza albocostaliata, m, Maryland, Prince Georges Co., Aquasco, 12 June 1997, J. Glaser; 2, Metalectra discalis, m, Tennessee, Blount Co., Ace Gap Trailhead, GSMNP, 24 July 2000, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00154045; 3, Metalectra discalis, m, Maryland, Prince Georges Co., Adelphi, 17 Aug. 1969, D. C. Ferguson; 4, Metalectra quadrisignata, m, North Carolina, Jackson Co., Balsam, 3200 ft., 21 June 1974, D. C. Ferguson; 5, Metalectra quadrisignata, f, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Violette’s Lock, 29 July 1975, D. C. Ferguson; 6, Metalectra richardsi, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 11 Aug. 1980, D. C. Ferguson; 7, Metalectra richardsi, m, South Carolina, Charleston Co., McClellanville, Wedge Plantation; 1 May 1972, D. C. Ferguson; 8, Metalectra tantillus, m, South Carolina, Charleston Co., McClellanville, Wedge Plantation; 23 Apr. 1974, D. C. Ferguson; 9, Metalectra tantillus, m, Florida, Putnam Co., Welaka, University Reserve, 7 Apr. 1971, D. C. Ferguson; 10, Dyspyralis illocata, f, Canada, Nova Scotia, Queens Co., Lake Kajimukujik, 20 July 1957, D. C. Ferguson; 11, Dyspyralis illocata, m, Canada, Nova Scotia, Queens Co., Lake Kajimukujik, 21 July 1957, D. C. Ferguson; 12, Dyspyralis nigellus, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 8 July 1986, D. C. Ferguson; 13, Dyspyralis nigellus, m, Maryland, Baltimore Co., Soldiers Delight, 17 July 1993, J. Glaser; 14, Dyspyralis puncticosta, m, New Hampshire, Winnipesaukee, Long Island, 4 Aug. 1972, E. Jäckh; 15 Dyspyralis puncticosta, f, Arkansas, Washington Co., Devil’s Den State Park, 7 July 1966, R. W. Hodges; 16, Eublemma minima, m, Tennessee, Cocke Co., Foothills Parkway, GSMNP, 17 Sep. 2001, J. Brown, USN- MENT 00152848; 17, Eublemma minima, m, Texas, Cameron Co., Brownsville, 9 Nov. 1969, A. & M. E. Blanchard; 18, Ledaea perditalis, m, Florida, Collier Co., Big Cypress Swamp Preserve, Turner Rd., 1.5 mi US Hwy 41, 18 Mar. 1997, M. G. Pogue; 19, Ledaea perditalis, m, Florida, Putnam Co., Welaka, University of Florida Preserve, 26 Mar. 1987, D. C. Ferguson; 20, Pangrapta decoralis, m, North Carolina, Swain Co., 8.3 mi NE GSMNP ent. on 441, Kephart Prong trail, 2825 ft., 10 June 2003, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00155798; 21, Pangrapta decoralis, m, Tennessee, Cocke Co., 2.6 mi from St. Rt. 321, Greenbrier entrance, 1620 ft., 27 July 2007, M. Pogue, D. Adamski, M. Metz, GSMNP 1209; 22, Pangrapta decoralis, f, North Carolina, Swain Co., 13.5 mi NE GSMNP ent. on 441, Thomas Divide trail, 4634 ft., 8 June 2003, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00155702; 23, Pangrapta decoralis, f, Tennessee, Sevier Co., Jake’s Creek trail, near Campsite # 27, GSMNP, 22 July 2004, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00221776; 24, Pangrapta decoralis, f, Tennessee, Sevier Co., 1.3 mi W of Jct. 441 & Clingmans Dome Rd., Road Prong trail, 5260 ft., 28 July 2003, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00156584; 25, Hemeroplanis habitalis, m, Florida, Highlands Co., Lake Placid, Archbold Biological Station, 19 Feb. 1985, D. C. Ferguson; 26, Hemeroplanis habitalis, m, Oklahoma, Murray Co., Arbuckle Mts., 1 km W Turner Falls, 19 – 30 July 1984, Don & Mignon Davis; 27, Hemeroplanis habitalis, m, Florida, Hillsborough Co., Lutz, 10 May 1916; 28, Hemeroplanis obliqualis, m, Oklahoma, Sequoyah Co., Tenkiller Lake, 3 mi W Blackgum, 6 – 9 July 1979, D. & M. Davis; 29, Spargaloma sexpunctata, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 8 Aug. 1984, D. C. Ferguson; 30, Spargaloma sexpunctata, f, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 6 Aug. 1984, D. C. Ferguson; 31, Hyperstrotia pervertens, m, Maryland, Dorchester Co., 3 mi E Hurlock, 17 May 2004, J. Glaser; 32, Hyperstrotia pervertens, f, New York, Erie Co., Sardinia, Richmond Gulf, 25 July 1940, L. R. Rupert.